estoppel
A legal principle preventing someone from contradicting previous statements or actions
Examples
In a meeting
“The doctrine of estoppel prevents them from now denying the warranty terms they advertised.”
Over coffee
“It's basically estoppel—you can't say you never agreed when you signed the form.”
Why this word
prevention
Estoppel is the specific legal doctrine preventing contradiction of prior positions; prevention is too general
bar
Bar is informal blocking; estoppel is the formal legal principle barring claims inconsistent with prior conduct
prohibition
Prohibition is general denial; estoppel specifically prevents asserting claims contrary to previous representations or positions
Usage tip
Legal term for situations where consistency is legally enforced; someone can't flip-flop on previous positions.
Etymology
Old French 'estoupail' (stopper, bung), from 'estouper' (to stop up)
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Related words
nullify
To make something legally void or completely ineffective
enjoin
To legally prohibit or order someone to do or not do something
proscribe
To officially forbid or condemn something
severability
The legal principle that if one part of a contract is invalid, the rest remains enforceable
quorum
The minimum number of members required to be present for valid proceedings
recuse
To remove oneself from a decision due to conflict of interest or bias