force majeure

The story

1. Latin · derived frommaior“greater; large”
2. Latin · derived fromfortis“powerful, strong”
3. French · borrowed fromforce majeure“an exceptionally strong or superior force; (law) an unavoidable circumstance that prevents someone from fulfilling a legal obligation”
4. English todayforce majeure

PIE word *méǵh₂s Borrowed from French force majeure (“an exceptionally strong or superior force; (law) an unavoidable circumstance that prevents someone from fulfilling a legal obligation”), from force (“a force”) (ultimately from Latin fortis (“powerful, strong”)) + majeure (the feminine singular of majeur (“of great importance, major”), ultimately from Latin maior (“greater; large”),).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from late 19th c. An overwhelming force.