Force majeure, irresistible compulsion, coercion diplomatically recognized as irresistible, Concise Oxford Dict. Compare ACT OF GOD; RESTRAINT OF PRINCES.
An event or effect that can be neither anticipated no controlled, Black's Law Dictionary, p. 657.
The expression 'force majeure' is not a mere French version of the Latin expression 'vis major'. It is undoubtedly a term of wider import. Difficulties have arisen in the past as to what could legitimately be included in 'force majeure'. Judges have agreed that strikes, breakdown of machinery, which, though normally not included in 'vis major' are included in 'force majeure'. An analysis of rulings on the subject into which it is not necessary in this case to go, shows that where reference is made to 'force majeure', the intention is to save the performing party from the consequences of anything over which he has no control. This is the widest meaning that can be given to 'force majeure', Dhanrajamal Gobindram v. Shamji Kalidas and Co., AIR 1961 SC 1285 (1291): (1961) 3 SCR 1020. (Contract Act, 1872, s. 29)