Conditions & Requirements Vocabulary

to specify as a condition or requirement

“The contract stipulates a 30-day notice period.”

Origin: Latin stipulari `to bargain, demand` (possibly from stips `small coin`)

something required as a prior condition

“Understanding algebra is a prerequisite for calculus.”

Origin: Latin prae `before` + requisitus `required` (from requirere `to seek`)

dependent on something else; conditional

“Approval is contingent on passing the security review.”

Origin: Latin contingere `to touch, happen` (from con- `together` + tangere `to touch`)

subject to one or more conditions being met

“This is a conditional offer pending background checks.”

Origin: Latin condicio `agreement, condition` + -al

a condition attached to an agreement

“I'll agree, with the proviso that we review progress monthly.”

Origin: Latin proviso quod `it being provided that` (from providere `to foresee`)

a warning or qualification; a condition

“One caveat: this only works with clean data.”

Origin: Latin caveat `let him beware` (from cavere `to beware`)

a condition that must be met; a modification

“There are some qualifications to that statement.”

Origin: Latin qualis `of what kind` + facere `to make` + -ation

a principle or standard by which something is judged

“What criteria will you use to evaluate success?”

Origin: Greek kriterion `means of judging` (from krites `judge` from krinein `to decide`)

something that is necessary or required

“Experience in Python is a requisite for this role.”

Origin: Latin requisitus `sought after` (from requirere `to seek, require`)

absolutely necessary or required; vital

“It is imperative that we meet this deadline.”

Origin: Latin imperativus `specially ordered` (from imperare `to command`)

required by law or rules; compulsory

“Security training is mandatory for all employees.”

Origin: Latin mandatum `command` (from mandare `to order`) + -ory

available for use at one's own judgment

“This funding is discretionary, not guaranteed.”

Origin: Latin discretio `separation, discernment` (from discernere `to separate`) + -ary

available to be chosen but not required

“The extra features are optional.”

Origin: Latin optio `choice` (from optare `to choose`) + -al

providing necessary support; supplementary

“Ancillary documentation may be helpful but isn't required.”

Origin: Latin ancillaris `relating to maidservants` (from ancilla `maidservant`)

to base something on; require as a precondition

“The plan is predicated on securing additional funding.”

Origin: Latin praedicare `to proclaim` (from prae `before` + dicare `to make known`)

to involve something as a necessary consequence

“What does this decision entail?”

Origin: Old French entailler `to cut, carve` (from en- `in` + tailler `to cut`)