sine qua non

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[edit] English

[edit] Alternative forms

[edit] Etymology

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

[edit] Pronunciation

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Translations

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