Proviso

/prəˈvaɪzoʊ/ noun

Definition

A condition or stipulation that must be met before something else can happen or be considered valid. It specifies requirements or limitations that qualify the main statement or agreement.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin proviso (quod) meaning '(it being) provided (that),' from Latin providere 'to foresee' or 'to provide for.' The term emphasizes forward-thinking preparation and conditional planning.

Kelly Says

A proviso is like a contractual 'if-then' statement - it says 'this wonderful thing can happen, BUT only if these specific conditions are met!' It's the academic equivalent of fine print, but instead of hiding important information, it makes expectations crystal clear upfront.

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