sine qua non

views updated May 21 2018

si·ne qua non / ˌsini ˌkwä ˈnōn; ˌsini ˌkwä ˈnän/ • n. an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary: grammar and usage are the sine qua non of language teaching and learning.

Sine Qua Non

views updated May 17 2018

SINE QUA NON

[Latin, Without which not.] A description of a requisite or condition that is indispensable.

In the law of torts, a causal connection exists between a particular act and an injury when the injury would not have arisen but for the act. This is known as the but for rule or sine qua non rule.

More From encyclopedia.com