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View synonyms for act of God
act of God
noun
, Law.
- a direct, sudden, and irresistible action of natural forces such as could not reasonably have been foreseen or prevented, as a flood, hurricane, earthquake, or other natural catastrophe.
act of God
noun
- law a sudden and inevitable occurrence caused by natural forces and not by the agency of man, such as a flood, earthquake, or a similar catastrophe
act of God
1- An event beyond human control — e.g., hurricane , earthquake , volcanic eruption ( see volcano ), etc. — for which there is no legal redress. The phrase is frequently used by insurance companies and lawyers.
act of God
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Notes
As a legal term relating to property damage, it appears in insurance contracts : “After the flood, Papovich was dismayed to discover that his house was not insured against acts of God.”
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Word History and Origins
Origin of act of God1
First recorded in 1855–60
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Idioms and Phrases
An unforeseen and uncontrollable natural event, such as a hurricane, fire, or flood. For example, The publisher shall publish the work within twelve months except in case of delay caused by acts of God such as fires or floods or other circumstances beyond its control . It most often appears in legal contracts, where it is used to indemnify one party against a disaster that prevents it from carrying out the contract's terms. [Mid-1800s]Advertisement
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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