Supervening Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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supervening
[ˌsuːpərˈviːnɪŋ ]
Definition
legal context
Supervening refers to an event or condition that occurs after a particular situation or contract has been established and can potentially alter or affect the parties involved. This term is often used in legal discussions to highlight unexpected developments that complicate existing agreements. In some cases, a supervening event may excuse one party from fulfilling their obligations if it is deemed to be unforeseen and unavoidable.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The contract was terminated due to a supervening impossibility.
- The court ruled that the supervening events justified the amendments.
- Supervening circumstances altered the original agreement.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Philosophy
- In philosophical discussions, 'supervening' often refers to a relationship where higher properties depend on lower ones.
- A classic example is how moral properties may supervene on physical properties, meaning moral facts rely on the physical ones.
- It raises interesting debates about how different levels of reality interact with each other.
Law
- In legal contexts, 'supervening' refers to events that occur after a contract is made, affecting its performance.
- Courts might consider supervening impossibility, where a contract cannot be fulfilled due to unforeseen circumstances.
- This concept helps in resolving disputes where circumstances change unexpectedly.
Science
- In chemistry, supervening effects can occur when new properties emerge in a complex system.
- In psychology, behaviors may supervene as new levels of mental states develop.
- This concept is important in understanding how systems evolve over time and how new traits can arise.
Literature
- Writers often use supervening events as plot devices to introduce conflict or resolution in stories.
- In narratives, something supervening can dramatically change character dynamics or the storyline.
- It’s a way to show how unexpected developments affect the original situation.
Origin of 'supervening'
Main points about word origin
- Originates from the Latin word 'supervenire', meaning 'to come upon' or 'to arrive above'.
- The term combines 'super-', meaning 'above' or 'beyond', and 'venire', meaning 'to come'.
- The first recorded use of the term in English dates back to the 15th century.
The word 'supervening' derives from the Latin word 'supervenire', which means 'to come upon' or 'to arrive afterwards'. This etymology highlights the idea of something that appears after the fact. The term has been in use since the early 17th century, primarily in legal contexts to address scenarios where new conditions emerge post the formation of an agreement. Over time, its usage has expanded beyond legal jargon to include more general discussions about unexpected developments in various fields, including philosophy and general discourse. In many legal systems, supervening events (such as natural disasters or sudden legal changes) are acknowledged as significant factors that could relieve parties of their contractual duties, marking the term's essential role in discussions surrounding liability and accountability.