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ejusdem generis :: legal definition


Ejusdem generis - (eh-youse-dem generous) v adj. Latin for "of the same kind," used to interpret loosely written statutes. Where a law lists specific classes of persons or things and then refers to them in general, the general statements only apply to the same kind of persons or things specifically listed. Example: if a law refers to automobiles, trucks, tractors, motorcycles and other motor-powered vehicles, "vehicles" would not include airplanes, since the list was of land-based transportation.


Related Law Terms

answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant
Attorney General :: n. in each state and the federal government the hi ... izenry. See also: Solicitor General
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights
contractor :: n. 1) a person or entity that enters into a contra ... actor mechanic's lien subcontractor
corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities
court-martial :: 1) n. a military court for trying offenses in viol ... the U.S. Court of Military Appeals.
descent :: n. the rules of inheritance established by law in ... on inheritance intestate succession
disfigure :: v. to cause permanent change in a person's body, p ... . See also: damages general damages
driving under the influence (DUI) :: n. commonly called "drunk driving," it refers to o ... (DWI), drunk driving, or a "deuce".
equal opportunity :: 1) n. a right supposedly guaranteed by both federa ... be so. See also: affirmative action
equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law
hit and run :: n. the crime of a driver of a vehicle who is invol ... , and then walks back to the scene.
in kind :: adj. referring to payment, distribution or substit ... . See also: distribution trust will
in personam :: adj. (in purr-soh-nam) from Latin for "directed to ... here. See also: in rem jurisdiction
incompetent :: adj. 1) referring to a person who is not able to m ... n incompetency incompetent evidence
inter vivos :: (in-tur veye-vohs) adj. Latin for "among the livin ... e will. See also: inter vivos trust
judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate
justice :: n. 1) fairness. 2) moral rightness. 3) a scheme or ... e appellate courts. See also: court
libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
limited partnership :: n. a special type of partnership which is very com ... mited liability partner partnership
lineup :: n. a law enforcement method used in an attempt to ... entification is precarious at best.
living trust :: n. sometimes called an inter vivos (Latin for "wit ... thrift clause trust trustee trustor
merger :: n. 1) in corporate law, the joining together of tw ... and taking one, and wife the other.
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
notice to quit :: n. the notice given by a landlord (owner) to a ten ... h-to-month notice unlawful detainer
partnership :: n. a business enterprise entered into for profit w ... partnership partner silent partner
presumption :: n. a rule of law which permits a court to assume a ... resumption at all, but a certainty.
promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury
prospectus :: n. a detailed statement by a corporation required ... rporation limited partnership stock
real property :: n. 1) all land, structures, firmly attached and in ... onal property real estate reversion
regulations :: n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern ... es usually have similar procedures.
representative :: 1) n. an agent. 2) n. in probate law, a generic te ... of the conditions at the job site."
right of way :: n. 1) a pathway or road with a specific descriptio ... s easement egress floating easement
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
title :: n. 1) ownership of real property or personal prope ... ink slip real property title search
transferred intent :: n. in both criminal and tort (civil wrong) law, wh ... hit upon Truehart. See also: intent
warrant :: 1) n. an order (writ) of a court which directs a l ... e search and seizure search warrant

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - E

earnest payment :: n. a deposit paid to demonstrate commitment and to ... (liquidated) or committed damages.
easement :: n. the right to use the real property of another f ... rstandings at the time of creation.
egress :: n. way of departure. A word usually used in conjun ... unction with "access" or "ingress."
EIR :: n. popular acronym for environmental impact report ... e also: environmental impact report
ejectment :: n. a lawsuit brought to remove a party who is occu ... o the property through her parents.
ejusdem generis :: (eh-youse-dem generous) v adj. Latin for "of the s ... t was of land-based transportation.
elder law :: n. a specialty in legal practice, covering estate ... t field. (definition revised: 9/02)
election of remedies :: n. an outmoded requirement that if a plaintiff (pa ... dence has not been fully presented.
election under the will :: n. in those states which have statutes which give ... arries) left to her under his will.
eleemosynary :: (eh-luh-moss-uh-nary) adj. charitable, as applied ... pplied to a purpose or institution.
element :: n. 1) an essential requirement to a cause of actio ... of action crime general plan zoning
emancipation :: n. freeing a minor child from the control of paren ... vorced parent to pay child support.
embezzlement :: n. the crime of stealing the funds or property of ... in trust. See also: embezzler theft
embezzler :: n. a person who commits the crime of embezzlement ... r property of an employer or trust.
emblements :: n. crops to which a tenant who cultivated the land ... ome the property of his/her estate.
emergency :: n. a sudden, unforeseen happening which requires a ... r to protect lives and/or property.
eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation
emolument :: n. salary, wages and benefits paid for employment ... d for employment or an office held.
emotional distress :: n. an increasingly popular basis for a claim of da ... ar value upon it. See also: damages
employee :: n. a person who is hired for a wage, salary, fee o ... ondeat superior scope of employment