Dictionary Definition
impossibility
Noun
1 incapability of existing or occurring [syn:
impossibleness]
[ant: possibility]
2 an alternative that is not available [syn:
impossible
action]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
From Latin impossibilitasNoun
- That which is impossible; the quality of
being impossible.
- Meeting the deadline is an impossibility; there is no way we can be ready in time.
Extensive Definition
In contract
law, impossibility is an excuse for the nonperformance of
duties under a contract, based on a change in circumstances (or the
discovery of preexisting circumstances), the nonoccurrence of which
was an underlying assumption of the contract, that makes
performance of the contract literally impossible. For such a
defense to be raised, performance must not merely be difficult or
unexpectedly costly for one party; there must be no way for it to
actually be accomplished.
For example, if Rachel contracts to pay Joey
$1000 to paint her house on October 1, but the house burns to the
ground before the end of September, Rachel is excused from her duty
to pay Joey the $1000, and he is excused from his duty to paint her
house; however, Joey may still be able to sue for the unjust
enrichment of any benefit conferred on Rachel before her house
burned down.
Related to science
- Impossibility by John D. Barrow ©1998 ISBN 0-09-977211-6 - Investigates the limits of science and the science of limits.