In grammar:
* Clause: A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. It can be independent (a complete sentence) or dependent (needs another clause to make sense).
* Independent Clause: "The cat sat on the mat."
* Dependent Clause: "Because the cat was hungry" (Needs "it ate" or something similar to be a complete sentence).
In legal contexts:
* Clause: A specific part of a legal document (like a contract, treaty, or statute) that addresses a particular subject or condition.
* Example: A contract might have a clause about payment terms or a clause about termination.
In other contexts:
* Clause: Sometimes used broadly to refer to any part of a document or agreement.
* Example: "The final clause in the company's mission statement."
To understand the specific meaning of "clause", it's essential to consider the context in which it's used.