noscitur a sociis
noun
no·sci·tur a so·ci·is
ˈnō-si-tər-ˌā-ˈsō-sē-yəs, ˈnō-skē-ˌtu̇r-ˌä-ˈsō-kē-ˌēs
: a doctrine or rule of construction: the meaning of an unclear or ambiguous word (as in a statute or contract) should be determined by considering the words with which it is associated in the context
Cite this Entry
“Noscitur a sociis.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/noscitur%20a%20sociis. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share