clawback

plural clawbacks

1. UScountableuncountablelawA rule that permits a party to take back evidentiary materials that were mistakenly turned over to the other party but to which the other party would not have been entitled.
2. UScountableuncountableeconomicsMoney that a party is entitled to keep under one tax provision but is taken by another tax provision.
3. UScountableuncountablebusinessAny recovery of a performance-related payment based on discovery that the performance was not genuine.

   The airline got a clawback provision in the event of failure of the engines to meet fuel-consumption targets.

   Synonyms: malus

4. countableobsoleteuncountableA flatterer or sycophant.

   Take hede of theſe claubackes, theſe venemous people that wil come to you, that will folowe like Gnatoes and Paraſites, if you folowe them, you are oute of your boke.

   1549 March 25 (Gregorian calendar), Hughe Latymer [i.e., Hugh Latimer], Augustine Bernher, compiler, “[27 Sermons Preached by the Ryght Reuerende Father in God and Constant Matir of Iesus Christe, Maister Hugh Latimer, […].] The Second Sermon of Maister Hughe Latimer, which He Preached before King Edward [VI].”, in Certayn Godly Sermons, Made uppon the Lords Prayer, […], London: […] John Day, […], published 1562, →OCLC, folio 36, verso