sine qua non

English

Alternative forms

• sine quâ non [18^th C–present]

Etymology

Latin sine qua non, “without which [cause] not”

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌsɪneɪ kwɑː ˈnoʊn/
• IPA: /ˌsaɪnɨ kweɪ ˈnɒn/

Noun

sine qua non (plural sine qua nons or sine quibus non)

1. An essential or indispensable element, condition, or ingredient.

   2000:Przeworski, A., Alvarez, M., Cheibub, J., Limongi, F. 'Democracy and Development'. Cambridge University Press.p34.

   "...whereas some degree of political freedom is a sine qua non condition for contestation, democracy cannot be sufficiently defined in terms of "liberties"..."

2. (law) a test used to establish causation in fact.

Synonyms

• (essential or element): prerequisite

Translations

Translations

Greek: εκ των ων ουκ άνευ (el) (ek ton on ouk ánef) Polish: warunek sine qua non (pl), warunek niezbędny (pl)

Russian: то, без чего невозможно (ru) (to, bez čevó nemóžno)