vis major

n. Law, pl., vi·res ma·jo·res (vī'rēz mə-jôr'ēz, -jŏr'-).
An overwhelming force of nature having unavoidable consequences that under certain circumstances can exempt one from the obligations of a contract.

[Latin vīs māior : vīs, force + māior, greater.]

Latin phrase meaning "overpowering force"; an unavoidable accident or calamity; an accident for which no one is responsible; an Act of God.

Lat: a greater force, superior force; it is used in the civil law to mean act of God, see 38 So. 873, 874, and has reference to an "irresistible natural cause which cannot be guarded against by the ordinary exertions of human skill and prudence." 121 S.W. 36, 43. "A loss ‘vis major' (superior force) is a loss that results immediately from natural cause, without the intervention of man, and could not have been prevented by the exercise of prudence, diligence and care." 222 F. Supp. 299, 305. "The early authors treated [the phrase] as the equivalent to an act of God. Later authority seems to have broadened its meaning to include any insuperable interference." 77 F. 2d 614, 617.

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The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a natural and unavoidable catastrophe that interrupts the expected course of events
  Synonyms: act of God, force majeure, inevitable accident, unavoidable casualty

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