- construction
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con·struc·tion /kən-'strək-shən/ n: the act or result of construing, interpreting, or explaining meaning or effect (as of a statute or contract)the construction placed upon an agreement — J. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.
- construction
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I
noun
clarification, comment, commentary, configuration, conformation, constitution, construability, construal, deduction, definability, definition, delineation, description, diagnosis, exegesis, exemplification, explanation, explicability, explication, exposition, expounding, form, formulation, frame, framework, illumination, inference, interpretability, interpretatio, interpretation, meaning, rationale, sense, significance, structure, substance, translation, understanding, version
associated concepts: construction of a contract, construction of a statute, construction of a writing, construction of will, contemporaneous construction, liberal construction, rule of construction, statutory construction, strict construction
foreign phrases:
- Contemporanea expositio est fortissima in lege. — Contemporaneous exposition is the best and most powerful in the law- Quum in testamento ambigue aut etiam perperam scriptum est, benigne interpretari et secundum id quod credibile est cogitatum credendum est. — When an ambiguous or even an erroneous expression occurs in a will, it should be construed liberally and in accordance with what is thought the probable meaning of the testator- Copulatio verborum indicat quod accipiantur in codem sensu. — The coupling of words indicates that they are to be taken in the same sense.- Cum duo inter se repugnantia reperiuntur in testamento, ultimum ratum est. — When two repugnant matters are found in a will, the last will be confirmed- Curiosa et captiosa interpretatio in lege reprobatur. — A curious and captious interpretation is disapproved.- Verbis standum ubi nulla ambiguitas. — Where there is no ambiguity, one must abide by the words.- Designatio unius est exclusio alterius, et expressum facit cessare tacitum. — The designation of one is the exclusion of the other, and that which is expressed prevails over that which is implied.- In ambigua voce legis ea potius accipienda est significatio quae vitio caret, praesertim cum etiam voluntas legis ex hoc colligi possit. — In an ambiguous expression of law, that interpretation is to be preferred which is consonant with equity, especially where it is in conformity with the purpose of the law.- Non aliter a significatione verborum recedi oportet quam cum manifestum est, aliud sensisse testatorem. — The ordinary meaning of the words ought not to be departed from unless it is evident that the testator intended otherwise.- Non est novum ut priores leges ad posteriores trahantur. — It is not novel that prior statutes should give place to later ones- Non in legendo sed in intelligendo leges consistunt. — The laws consist not in being read, but in being understood- Omnis definitio in lege periculosa. — All definition in law is dangerous.- Omnis interpretatio si fieri potest ita fienda est in instrumentis, ut omnes contrarietates amoveantur. — Every interpretation of instruments is to be made, if they will admit of it, so that all contradictions may be removed- In ambiguo sermone non utrumque dicimus sed id duntaxat quod volumus. — In ambiguous discourse, we do not use language in a double sense, but in the sense in which we mean it- Benedicta est expositio quando res redimitur a destructione. — Blessed is the exposition when a thing is saved from destruction.- Benignior sententia in verbis generalibus seu dubiis est praeferenda. — The more favorable construction is to be placed on general or doubtful expressions.- Benignius leges interpretandae sunt quo voluntas earum conservetur. — Laws are to be liberally construed, in order that their intent may be preserved.- Lex non exacte definit, sed arbitrio boni viri permittit. — The law does not define exactly, but trusts to the judgement of a good man- Lex posterior derogat priori. — A later statute takes away the effect of a prior one- Magis de bono quam de malo lex intendit. — The law favors a good rather than a bad interpretation.- Maledicta est expositio quae corrumpit textum. — It is a cursed construction which corrupts the text.- Mandata licita strictam recipiunt interpretationem, sed illicita latam et extensam. — Lawful commands receive a strict interpretation, but unlawful commands a broad and extended one- Neque leges neque senatus consults its scribi possunt ut omnis casus qui quandoque in sediriunt comprehendatur; sed sufficit ea quae plaerumque accidunt contineri. — Neither laws nor acts of a legislature can be so written as to include all actual or possible cases; it is sufficient if they provide for those things which frequently or ordinarily may happen- In stipulationibus cum quaeritur quid actum sit verba contra stipulatorem interpretanda sunt. — In the construction of agreements words are interpreted against the person offering them- Omne majus minus in se complectitur. — Every greater thing embraces within itself the less.- Partem aliquam recte intelligere nemo potest antequam totum iterum atque iterum perlegerit. — No one can rightly understand any part until he has read the whole over again.- Quamvis lex generaliter loquitur, restringenda tamen est, ut, cessante ratione, ipsa cessat. — Although a law speaks generally, yet it is to be restrained, so that when its reason fails, it should cease also- Quotiens idem sermo duas sententias exprimit, ea potissimum accipiatur, qui rei gerendae aptior est. — Whenever the same words express two meanings, that is to be adopted which is the better fitted for carrying out the proposed end- In ambiguis orationibus maxime sententia spectanda est ejus qui eas protulisset — In ambiguous expressions, the intent of the person using them is particularly to be regarded- Statutum generaliter est intelligendum quando verba statuti sunt specialia, ratio autem generalis. — When the words of a statute are special, but the reason general, the statute is to be understood generally.- Tortura legum pessima. — The torture or wresting of laws is the worst- Verba accipienda sunt secundum subjectam materiam. — Words are to be understood with reference to the subject-matter.- Verba chartarum fortius accipiuntur contra proferentem. — The words of a grant are to be taken most strongly against the person offering them- Verba generalia generaliter sunt intelligenda. — General words are to be understood generally- Verbis standum ubi nulla ambiguitas. — Where there is no ambiguity, the words are adhered to- Semper sexus masculinus etiam foeminum continet. — The masculine sex of gender always includes the feminine also- Semper specialia generalibus insunt. — Special expressions are always included in general ones- Si nulla sit conjectura quae ducat alio, verba intelligenda sunt ex proprietate, non grammatica sed populari ex usu. — If there be no inference which leads to a different conclusion, words are to be understood according to their proper meaning, not according to a grammatical usage but to a popular and ordinary one- Statuta pro publico commodo late interpretantur. — Statutes enacted for the public good ought to be liberally construed.- Quando charta continet generalem clausulam, posteaque descendit ad verba specialia quae clausulae generali sunt consentanea, interpretanda est charta secundum verba specialia. — When a deed contains a general clause, and afterwards descends to special words which are consistent with the general clause, the deed is to be interpreted according to the special words- Quando lex est specialis, ratio autem generalis, generaliter lex est intelligenda. — When the law is special, but its reason is general, the law is to be understood generally- Quando licet id quod majus, videtur licere id quod minus. — When the greater is allowed, the less is to be deemed to be allowed also- Quod in minori valet, valebit in majori; et quod in majori non valet, nec valebit in minori. — That which is valid in the greater shall be valid in the less, and that which is not valid in the greater shall not be valid in the less- Quum in testamento ambigue aut etiam perperam scriptum est, benigne interpretari et secundum id quod credibile est cogitatum credendum est. — Where an ambiguous or even an erroneous expression occurs in a will, it should be construed liberally and in accordance with what is thought the probable meaning of the testator- Semper in dubiis benigniora praeferenda sunt. — In doubtful cases, the more liberal constructions are always to be preferred- Transgressione multiplicata, crescat poenae inflictio. — Upon the multiplication of the transgression, let the infliction of punishment increase- Ex tota materia emergat resolutio. — The construction should arise out of the whole subject-matter- expressio unius est exclusio alterius. — The expression of one thing is the exclusion of another- Generale dictum generaliter est interpretandum. — A general expression is to be construed generally- Generale nihil certum implicat. — A general expression implies nothing certain- In dubio, haec legis constructio quam verba ostendunt. — In a doubtful case, that construction which the words indicate should be adopted- In expositione instrumentorum, mala grammatica, quod fieri potest, vitanda est. — In the drafting of instruments, bad grammar is to be avoided as much as possible- In his enim quae sunt favorabilia animae, quamvis sunt damnosa rebus, fiat aliquando extentio statuti. — In matters that are favorable to the spirit, though injurious to property, an extension of the statute should sometimes be made.- In rebus quae sunt favorabilia animae, quamvis sunt damnosa rebus, fiat aliquando extensio statuti. — In matters that are favorable to the spirit, though injurious to things, an extension of a statute should sometimes be made- In stipulationibus cum quaeritur quid actum sit verba contra stipulatorem interpretanda sunt. — In the construction of agreements terms are interpreted against the person using them- In verbis, non verba, sed res et ratio, quaerenda est. — In the construction of words, not the mere words, but the thing and the meaning, are to be inquired into- Injustum est, nisi tota lege inspecta, de una aliqua ejus particula proposita judicare vel respondere. — It is unjust to give judgement or advice concerning any particular clause of a law without having examined the whole law- Interpretatio fienda est ut res magis valeat quam pereat. — Construction should be such that the transaction may be effective rather than fall- Interpretare et concordare leges legibus, est optimus interpretandi modus. — To interpret and harmonize laws with laws is the best mode of interpretation- Interpretatio talis in ambiguis semper fienda est ut evitetur inconveniens et absurdum. — In ambiguous things, such a construction should be always made that the inconvenient and absurd may be avoided- Legis constructio non facet injuriam. — The construction of law does no wrong- generalis clausula non porrigitur ad ea quae antea specialiter sunt comprehensa. — A general clause is not extended to include those things that have been previously provided for specially- Leges posteriores, priores contrarias abrogant. — Subsequent laws repeal prior laws that are repugnant to them- Id quod est magis remotum, non trahit ad se quod est magis junctum, sed e contrario in omni casu. — That which is more remote does not draw to itself that which is nearer, but the contrary in every case- In ambigua voce legis ea potius accipienda est significatio quae vitio caret, praesertim cum etiam voluntas legis ex hoc colligi possit. — In an ambiguous expression of law, that signification is to be preferred which is consonant with equity, especially when the spirit of the law can be collected from that- In obscuris, inspici solere quod verisimilius est, aut quod plerumque fieri solet. — In obscure cases, we usually regard what is most probable or what is done- In obscuris, quod minimum est sequimur. — In obscure or doubtful cases, we follow that which is the least- In poenalibus causis benignius interpretandum est. — In penal causes or cases, the more liberal interpretation should be adopted- In re dubia, magis infitiatio quam affirmatio intelligenda. — In a doubtful matter, to follow the more liberal interpretation is no the more just than it is the more safe- Generale tantum valet in generalibus, quantum singulare in singulis. — That which is general prevails in general matters, as that which is particular prevails in particular matters- In ambiguo sermone non utrumque dicimus sed id duntaxat quod volumus. — In ambiguous language, we do not use it in a double sense, but in the sense in which we mean it- Generalia specialibus non derogant. — General words do not derogate from special- Generalia sunt praeponenda singularibus. — General things are to be put before particular things- Generalia verba sunt generaliter intelligenda. — General words are to be understood generally in a general sense- Generalibus specialia derogant. — Special words derogate from the meaning of general ones.- Verba posteriora propter certitudinem addita, ad priora quae certitudine indigent, sunt referenda. — Subsequent words, added for the purpose of certainty, are to be referred to the preceding words which are need of certainty- Verbis standum ubi nulla ambiguitas. — One must abide by the words where there is no ambiguity- Generalia praecedunt; specialia sequuntur. — Things general precede, things special follow- In ambiguis orationibus maxime sententia spectanda est ejus qui eas protulisset. — When there are ambiguous expressions, the intentions of the person who uses them is chiefly to be regarded- A verbis legis non est recedendum. — From the words of a statute, there must be no departure- Aliud est distinctio, aliud separatio. — Distinction is one thing, separation is anotherII index building (business of assembling), building (structure), composition (makeup), configuration (form), connotation, content (structure), creation, development (building), edifice, formation, frame (structure), manufacture, motif, organization (structure), performance (workmanship), rendition (explication)
Burton's Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006
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n.(1) The interpretation of a statute or legal authority, particularly of ambiguous portions of it.See also construe
The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Amy Hackney Blackwell. 2008.
- construction
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the process of interpreting a document or statute.
Collins dictionary of law. W. J. Stewart. 2001.
- construction
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The act of interpreting and giving meaning to a statute, law, contract, or will when there is some ambiguity or question about its meaning. Strict, or narrow, construction means considering only the literal words, whereas broad, or liberal, construction, means taking into account societal and situational meanings to the language.Category: Representing Yourself in CourtCategory: Small Claims Court & Lawsuits
Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. Gerald N. Hill, Kathleen Thompson Hill. 2009.
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n. The process of interpreting, or the interpretation of, a constitution, statute, or instrument.See also legislative history, intent.@ canon of constructionAny of the general principles that courts apply to construe a statute or instrument whose meaning is in dispute.@ liberal constructionThe interpretation of a constitutional or statutory provision that applies the original intent, purpose, and spirit of the writing to circumstances that are not specifically addressed by the constitution or statute. Also called broad interpretation.+ liberal construction n. A loose or expansive interpretation of a statute or writing, as opposed to a strict or literal construction.@ narrow constructionThe interpretation of a constitutional or statutory provision that applies only the literal words of the writing to circumstances that are not specifically addressed by the constitution or statute. Also called strict construction.@ strict constructionThe interpretation of a constitutional or statutory provision that applies only the literal words of the writing to circumstances that are not specifically addressed by the constitution or statute. Also called narrow construction.@
Webster's New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000.
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The process by which the meaning of an ambiguous provision of a statute, written document, or oral agreement is determined.
Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.
- construction
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The process by which the meaning of an ambiguous provision of a statute, written document, or oral agreement is determined.
Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.
- construction
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n.the act of a lawyer or court in interpreting and giving meaning to a statute or the language of a document such as a contract or will when there is some ambiguity or question about its meaning. In constitutional law, there is a distinction between liberal construction (broad construction) and strict construction (narrow construction). Liberal construction adds modern and societal meanings to the language, while strict construction adheres closely to the original language and intent without interpretation.See also: strict construction
Law dictionary. EdwART. 2013.
