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Definition of sine qua non noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sine qua non

noun
 
/ˌsɪneɪ kwɑː ˈnəʊn/
 
/ˌsɪneɪ kwɑː ˈnəʊn/
 [singular] (from Latin, formal)
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  1. sine qua non (of/for something) something that is essential before you can achieve something else
    • TV coverage is the sine qua non of a sport if it is to thrive.
    • Trust is a sine qua non for any counselling.
    Topics Successc2
    Word OriginLatin, literally ‘(cause) without which not’.
See sine qua non in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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