particular average: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “particular average” mean?
A maritime insurance term for a partial loss or damage affecting the interest of only one party (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A maritime insurance term for a partial loss or damage affecting the interest of only one party (e.g., the shipowner or a single cargo owner), as opposed to a 'general average' loss shared by all parties.
In specialized contexts, it can refer to a specific, partial financial loss not shared collectively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Terminology is identical and standard in international maritime law and insurance. No significant lexical or spelling differences.
Connotations
Highly technical and precise in both regions.
Frequency
Used with identical low, professional frequency in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “particular average” in a Sentence
The [shipowner] claimed for [a particular average] loss.[Particular average] is payable under [the policy terms].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in shipping, insurance, and international trade contracts to specify liability for partial damage.
Academic
Found in law, maritime studies, and insurance textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in marine insurance policies and legal disputes over cargo or hull damage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “particular average”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “particular average”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “particular average”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a particular average cost').
- Confusing it with 'general average'.
- Thinking 'average' relates to mathematics.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A deductible is the portion of any loss the insured pays. Particular average is the classification of the loss itself as partial and affecting a specific interest.
Extremely rarely. It is a term of art in maritime law and insurance. In non-marine contexts, 'partial loss' or 'specific loss' would be used.
It derives from the Old French 'avarie' meaning 'damage to ship or cargo', and the Italian 'avaria'. The mathematical meaning developed later.
It is determined by insurance adjusters or average adjusters based on the circumstances of the loss and the terms of the insurance contract.
A maritime insurance term for a partial loss or damage affecting the interest of only one party (e.
Particular average is usually formal, technical in register.
Particular average: in British English it is pronounced /pəˌtɪkjʊlə ˈævərɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˌtɪkjələr ˈævərɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: Particular = specific to one party. Average (historically, 'loss' or 'damage'). So, a loss particular to one, not general to all.
Conceptual Metaphor
FINANCIAL LOSS IS A BURDEN (but a burden borne by one, not shared).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'particular average' specifically refer to in marine insurance?