Afterclause

/ˈæf.tərˌklɔːz/ noun

Definition

A clause or condition that comes after the main part of a legal agreement or contract.

Etymology

From Old English 'æfter' (after) + 'clause' from Latin 'claudere' (to close). The term developed in legal English to describe supplementary conditions added to primary contractual language.

Kelly Says

Medieval lawyers weren't organized like today—they'd keep adding conditions to contracts on the fly, so the 'afterclause' became a formal way to say 'wait, one more thing!' This shows how legal language grows organically from practical needs.

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