Word: stipulation (noun)

Associations

A stipulation is a condition or requirement that is part of an agreement or contract. It sets specific rules that must be followed.

• Example 1: "The stipulation in the contract states that the work must be completed by the end of the month." This shows that there is a specific requirement in the contract.
• Example 2: "One stipulation of the loan is that you must have a good credit score." Here, it indicates a condition that must be met to get the loan.
• Example 3: "The stipulation for the prize was that participants had to be over 18 years old." This highlights a rule that defines who can participate.

A well-known synonym for stipulation is "condition." The difference is that "condition" can refer to any circumstance that must be met, while "stipulation" often refers specifically to terms in legal or formal agreements.

Substitution

Instead of "stipulation," you could use:

• "requirement" – This is more general and can apply to various situations.
• "provision" – This often refers to specific clauses in legal documents.
• "term" – This is used in agreements but can also refer to conditions in a broader sense.

Using these words can change the nuance; for example, "requirement" is less formal than "stipulation."

Deconstruction

The word "stipulation" comes from the Latin word "stipulatio," which means "a formal request or agreement."

• The root "stipula" means "straw" and refers to the practice of making agreements in ancient Rome, where a straw was used as a symbol of a promise.
• There are no prefixes or suffixes in this word.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation in your life where you had to agree to stipulations? What were they?
• How do stipulations help in making agreements clearer?
• Do you think stipulations can sometimes lead to misunderstandings? Why or why not?