Curious Word: Majeure

I can't recall where I exactly this word tripped me up, but it sure did send me sprawling. As it turns out, majeure is a word I ought to have known all along. For one thing, it's French. For another, it's not intended to be used solo (at least not typically).

Force majeure (French for "greater force") is a common clause in contracts which essentially frees one or both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as war, strike, riot, crime, act of God (e.g., flood, earthquake, volcano), prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract. However, Force Majeure is not intended to excuse negligence or other malfeasance of a party, as where non-performance is caused by the usual and natural consequences of external forces (e.g., predicted rain stops an outdoor event), or where the intervening circumstances are specifically contemplated.

Ah, would that I could remember the context in which I encountered this phrase, for I would certainly return to it and set things right. As it is, I'll have to wait till I encounter it again in the wild.