Onéreuses

Onéreuses is the feminine plural form of the French adjective onéreux, meaning burdensome, costly, or imposing. It is used to describe costs, charges, obligations, or terms that place a significant burden or financial strain on someone. The term is common in legal, economic, and business contexts to qualify elements that go beyond ordinary or fair costs.

Etymology and usage notes: Onéreux derives from Latin onerosus, via Old French. The form onéreuses agrees with feminine plural nouns, as in des charges onéreuses, des clauses onéreuses, or une dette onéreuse. The masculine singular is onéreux; the feminine singular is onéreuse; plural masculine is onéreux; feminine plural is onéreuses.

Domain-specific usage: In law, one speaks of clauses onéreuses or obligations onéreuses to denote provisions that impose heavy burdens, often with less favorable terms for one party. In economics and business, describe fees, tariffs, or contracts as onéreuses when they are disproportionately costly or onerous relative to benefits or market norms. The term emphasizes not just expense but the burden or disadvantage associated with the obligation.

Translation and nuance: The closest English equivalent is onerous, with a nuance toward burdensomeness and imposing conditions. It is typically used to highlight that a term or obligation is more onerous than desirable or fair.

See also: onéreux, clause, charge, obligation, contract, burden.