Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Superior or overpowering force.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Superior force.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun an
overwhelming force - noun law an
unavoidable catastrophe , especially one that prevents someone from fulfilling alegal obligation
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a natural and unavoidable catastrophe that interrupts the expected course of events
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[French : force, force + majeure, greater.]
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From French force majeure (greater force)
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Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
chained_bear commented on the word force majeure
"'Bless me, the Emperor's envoy has put off already.'
"'God damn and blast the man,' cried the Admiral, looking angrily at the clock. 'Let him go and ... no: we must not offend the Moors. I shall not have time for Aubrey. Pray tell him so, Mr Yarrow—make my excuses—force majeure—do the civil thing—bid him to dinner and let him bring Dr Maturin; or let them come tomorrow morning, if that don't suit.'"
--Patrick O'Brian, The Far Side of the World, 18
OED: "Irresistible force or overwhelming power," from the French for "superior power." In law, something that prevents a party from discharging its obligations.
February 19, 2008
wordwench commented on the word force majeure
A good word about now..
October 1, 2008