Legal Definitions - noscitur a sociis

Definition: Noscitur a sociis is a Latin term that means "it is known by its associates." It is a rule of construction that suggests that the meaning of an unclear word or phrase should be determined by the words immediately surrounding it.

For example, if a law states that "no vehicles are allowed in the park, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles," the term "vehicles" would be interpreted to include cars, trucks, and motorcycles because they are associated with the term in the same sentence.

This rule is often used in legal and statutory interpretation to help determine the meaning of unclear language. It is based on the idea that words are often influenced by the words around them, and that the context in which a word is used can help clarify its meaning.