THE CONTRACT GLOSSARY

A clearer vocabulary.

Twenty-five terms you will encounter across legal agreements, business operations, and blockchain programs. Definitions are introductory; the relevant source context is linked from each learning path.

Acceptance
An expression of agreement or a proposed review outcome, depending on context. The appropriate legal meaning and process depend on the actual transaction and applicable law.
Explore the electronic agreements guide ↗
Allowance
In the token-permission context discussed here, an authorization for a specified spender to move relevant tokens, subject to the mechanism’s scope. It is distinct from merely connecting a website.
Explore the permissions without the guesswork guide ↗
Amendment
A change to an existing agreement. Plan how it will be approved, recorded, and connected to the prior version, including any related technical configuration.
Explore the scope, payment & change guide ↗
Authority
The capacity or permission to take an action. Distinguish legal signing authority, organizational approval, key control, and technical program permissions.
Explore the prepare for counsel guide ↗
Blockchain
A term for systems that record data through linked blocks under their network rules. A blockchain record does not by itself resolve every question about the truth or legal effect of underlying information.
Explore the legal terms meet executable rules guide ↗
Confidentiality
The treatment of information that should not be disclosed or accessed without an appropriate basis. Professional duties, contract terms, and privacy rules can raise different questions.
Explore the professional review workflow guide ↗
Consideration
A concept concerning an exchange supporting an agreement in legal systems where it is relevant. Its role and requirements are jurisdiction-specific; obtain advice for the actual agreement.
Explore the formation & enforceability guide ↗
Counterparty
The other participant in a proposed agreement or transaction. A familiar product name or wallet address should not be assumed to identify the complete legal relationship.
Explore the the details are the deal guide ↗
DeFi
Decentralized finance: a broad label for blockchain-based financial applications, including activities such as lending and trading. The label does not establish suitability or eliminate risk.
Explore the risk before a headline return guide ↗
Electronic signature
An electronic method of expressing a signature or assent under the relevant framework. Its legal effect depends on the applicable rules and facts, not merely a visual signature graphic.
Explore the electronic agreements guide ↗
Escrow
An arrangement in which assets are held pending specified conditions. Legal and technical structures differ; do not infer protection or recovery from the label alone. This website provides no escrow.
Explore the the details are the deal guide ↗
Gas
A term used on Ethereum for the measurement of computational work associated with execution. For actual transaction mechanics and costs, consult the network and wallet documentation.
Explore the rules before deployment guide ↗
Governing law
The legal system proposed to govern an agreement. A clause selecting it does not necessarily answer every jurisdiction, mandatory-law, or enforcement question.
Explore the formation & enforceability guide ↗
Indemnity
A provision addressing responsibility for certain losses, claims, or costs. Its scope and legal effect depend on its wording, context, and applicable law.
Explore the prepare for counsel guide ↗
Instruction
In the Solana context, a request to a program with the information and accounts involved in an operation. The implementation needs review of what the request permits and changes.
Explore the programs, accounts & authority guide ↗
Liquidation
A process that can reduce or close a collateralized position under an arrangement’s actual rules. Thresholds, valuation methods, and consequences require specific verification.
Explore the risk before a headline return guide ↗
Oracle
A mechanism or service used to supply outside information to a blockchain application. Ask what the information establishes, who provides it, and what happens if it is wrong or unavailable.
Explore the legal terms meet executable rules guide ↗
Program account
In the Solana model described in its documentation, an account containing executable program code. Mutable application state is held in separate data accounts.
Explore the programs, accounts & authority guide ↗
Remedy
A response or relief that may be available when an obligation is not met. Availability and effect depend on the actual agreement and applicable law. A technical error message is not a complete remedy.
Explore the formation & enforceability guide ↗
Scope of work
The description of proposed deliverables, activities, dependencies, exclusions, and review criteria. It should connect to price, timing, and the process for changes.
Explore the scope, payment & change guide ↗
Service-level agreement
Terms describing measurable aspects of a service and the associated process or consequences. Review the measurement, exclusions, and obligations rather than only the headline target.
Explore the data, duties & an exit plan guide ↗
Smart contract
Executable program logic in a blockchain setting. Do not assume that the technical object expresses every legal promise or remedy between the participants.
Explore the legal terms meet executable rules guide ↗
Token approval
A permission involving a token and an authorized spender or operator under the relevant mechanism. Understand the network, asset, recipient, and scope before authorizing it.
Explore the permissions without the guesswork guide ↗
Upgrade authority
An authority that can permit changes to a deployed program where the applicable mechanism supports it. Solana’s documentation describes this for upgradeable-loader programs.
Explore the programs, accounts & authority guide ↗
Version control
A way to distinguish document or software versions and preserve the relationship between changes and approvals. A reviewed draft should remain identifiable in the final release or signing package.
Explore the professional review workflow guide ↗
Legal definitions and technical implementations vary. These short explanations are learning aids, not a determination of the meaning of a term in your agreement or system. Consult the source map and appropriate professionals.