noscitur a sociis doctrine in California

2025(See Yassin v. Solis (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 524, 536 .) 50 Although the trial court does not reference it, the trial court appears to be applying the doctrine of noscitur a sociis (it is known by its associates), which is the principle that “ ‘ “the meaning of a word may be enlarged or restrained by reference to the object of the whole clause in which it is used.” ’ ” (Dyna-Med, Inc. v. Fair Employment & Housing Com. (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1379, 1391, fn. 14 .) However, that principle is “applicable to terms that are ‘associated’ by grouping or serial enumeration in the same phrase or clause, not to

2025(See Yassin v. Solis (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 524, 536 .) 50 Although the trial court does not reference it, the trial court appears to be applying the doctrine of noscitur a sociis (it is known by its associates), which is the principle that “ ‘ “the meaning of a word may be enlarged or restrained by reference to the object of the whole clause in which it is used.” ’ ” (Dyna-Med, Inc. v. Fair Employment & Housing Com. (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1379, 1391, fn. 14 .) However, that principle is “applicable to terms that are ‘associated’ by grouping or serial enumeration in the same phrase or clause, not to

2025(See Yassin v. Solis (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 524, 536 .) 50 Although the trial court does not reference it, the trial court appears to be applying the doctrine of noscitur a sociis (it is known by its associates), which is the principle that “ ‘ “the meaning of a word may be enlarged or restrained by reference to the object of the whole clause in which it is used.” ’ ” (Dyna-Med, Inc. v. Fair Employment & Housing Com. (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1379, 1391, fn. 14 .) However, that principle is “applicable to terms that are ‘associated’ by grouping or serial enumeration in the same phrase or clause, not to

2014“Expressio unius est exclusio alterius means that ‘the expression of certain things in a [contract] necessarily involves exclusion of other things not expressed. . . .’ [Citation.]” (Dyna–Med, Inc. v. Fair Employment & Housing Com. (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1379, 1391, fn. 13 .) The same logic is reflected in the doctrine of noscitur a sociis, meaning “it is known by friends.” “Under the rule of noscitur a sociis, ‘ “the meaning of a word may be enlarged or restrained by reference to the object of the whole clause in which it is used.” ’ [Citations.]” (Id. at p. 1391, fn. 14.) “ ‘In accordance with thi

2008Noscitur a sociis (it is *1371 known by its associates) is the principle that "a word takes meaning from the company it keeps." ( People v. Drennan (2000) 84 Cal.App.4th 1349, 1355 [ 101 Cal.Rptr.2d 584 ].) "`In accordance with this principle of construction, a court will adopt a restrictive meaning of a listed item if acceptance of a more expansive meaning would . . . make the item markedly dissimilar to the other items in the list.'" ( People ex rel.

2008Noscitur a sociis (it is *1371 known by its associates) is the principle that "a word takes meaning from the company it keeps." ( People v. Drennan (2000) 84 Cal.App.4th 1349, 1355 [ 101 Cal.Rptr.2d 584 ].) "`In accordance with this principle of construction, a court will adopt a restrictive meaning of a listed item if acceptance of a more expansive meaning would . . . make the item markedly dissimilar to the other items in the list.'" ( People ex rel.

2023(See Moore v. California State Bd. of Accountancy (1992) 2 Cal.4th 999 , 1011–1012 [any maxim of jurisprudence, including ejusdem generis and noscitur a sociis, must yield to legislative intent if application of maxim would frustrate intent underlying statute]; Irwin v. City of Manhattan Beach (1966) 65 Cal.2d 13, 21 [“quest after legislative purpose remains paramount” to all maxims of jurisprudence which operate as interpretive aids]; Almond Alliance of California v. Fish & Game Com. (2022) 79 Cal.App.5th 337 , 354 [“Statutory interpretation cannons . . . must heed to legislative intent”].) 3

1994In accordance with this principle of construction, a court will adopt a restrictive meaning of a listed item if acceptance of a more expansive meaning ... would otherwise make the item markedly dissimilar to the other items in the list." ( Moore v. California State Bd. of Accountancy (1992) 2 Cal.4th 999, 1011-1012 [ 9 Cal. Rptr.2d 358 , 831 P.2d 798 ].) The majority opinion fails to follow this directive, instead choosing to interpret isolated phrases without reference to the whole.

2023(See Moore v. California State Bd. of Accountancy (1992) 2 Cal.4th 999 , 1011–1012 [any maxim of jurisprudence, including ejusdem generis and noscitur a sociis, must yield to legislative intent if application of maxim would frustrate intent underlying statute]; Irwin v. City of Manhattan Beach (1966) 65 Cal.2d 13, 21 [“quest after legislative purpose remains paramount” to all maxims of jurisprudence which operate as interpretive aids]; Almond Alliance of California v. Fish & Game Com. (2022) 79 Cal.App.5th 337 , 354 [“Statutory interpretation cannons . . . must heed to legislative intent”].) 3

2023The principle of noscitur a sociis requires that the term, ‘place of public accommodation,’ be interpreted within the context of the accompanying words, and 20 this context suggests that some connection between the good or service complained of and an actual physical place is required.” (Weyer, supra, 198 F.3d at p. 1114, first italics added; see also Ford, supra, 145 F.3d at p. 614 [“the doctrine of noscitur a sociis” directs that terms “should be interpreted by reference to the accompanying words of the statute ‘to avoid the giving of unintended breadth to the Acts of Congress’ ”].) The Mart

2023The principle of noscitur a sociis requires that the term, ‘place of public accommodation,’ be interpreted within the context of the accompanying words, and 20 this context suggests that some connection between the good or service complained of and an actual physical place is required.” (Weyer, supra, 198 F.3d at p. 1114, first italics added; see also Ford, supra, 145 F.3d at p. 614 [“the doctrine of noscitur a sociis” directs that terms “should be interpreted by reference to the accompanying words of the statute ‘to avoid the giving of unintended breadth to the Acts of Congress’ ”].) The Mart

2023The principle of noscitur a sociis requires that the term, ‘place of public accommodation,’ be interpreted within the context of the accompanying words, and 20 this context suggests that some connection between the good or service complained of and an actual physical place is required.” (Weyer, supra, 198 F.3d at p. 1114, first italics added; see also Ford, supra, 145 F.3d at p. 614 [“the doctrine of noscitur a sociis” directs that terms “should be interpreted by reference to the accompanying words of the statute ‘to avoid the giving of unintended breadth to the Acts of Congress’ ”].) The Mart

2023(See Lungren, supra, 14 Cal.4th at p. 308 [rejecting an invocation of the noscitur a sociis principle because when viewed in light of the relevant statute’s broader purpose, “the seeming dissimilarities between” 24 In re N.R.

2022Co. v. Superior Court (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 727, 740 [same].) 16 Thus, pursuant to the doctrine of noscitur a sociis, the disputed term cannot be so narrowly construed so as to “ ‘ “make the item markedly dissimilar to the other items in the list, ” ’ ” but it also cannot be so broadly construed so as to “ ‘ “make other items in the list unnecessary or redundant.” ’ ” (Busker v. Wabtec Corp. (2021) 11 Cal.5th 1147 , 1160 & fn. 11 [construing a term so that it is not “markedly different” from other listed terms].) Here, NetEase’s narrow construction of the third listed term in the series would

2014(Blue v. Bonta’, supra, 99 Cal.App.4th at p. 989.) These rules are aids to statutory construction, bearing in mind that “our first task ... is to ascertain the intent of the Legislature so as to effectuate the purpose of the law.” (Dyna-Med, Inc. v. Fair Employment & Housing Com. (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1379, 1386 [ 241 Cal.Rptr. 67 , 743 P.2d 1323 ].) 6 The statute reads: “A person or entity that takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains, or assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining the real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult when the elder or dep

2014Under this rule “ ‘ “where general words follow the enumeration of particular classes of person or things, the general words will be construed as applicable only to person or things of the same general nature or class as those enumerated.” ’ ” (O’Grady v. Superior Court (2006) 139 Cal.App.4th 1423, 1461 [ 44 Cal.Rptr.3d 72 ].) The second is the doctrine of noscitur a sociis which provides that a term may be defined by reference to the fellow members of its class.

2014Under this rule “ ‘ “where general words follow the enumeration of particular classes of person or things, the general words will be construed as applicable only to person or things of the same general nature or class as those enumerated.” ’ ” (O’Grady v. Superior Court (2006) 139 Cal.App.4th 1423, 1461 [ 44 Cal.Rptr.3d 72 ].) The second is the doctrine of noscitur a sociis which provides that a term may be defined by reference to the fellow members of its class.

2011(Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital, LLC v. Darning, Gill, Diamond & Kollitz (2009) 178 Cal.App.4th 1290, 1298, fn. 6 [ 101 Cal.Rptr.3d 192 ].) Under this principle, courts will adopt a restrictive meaning of a listed item if acceptance of a broader meaning would make other items in the list unnecessary or redundant, or would otherwise make the item markedly dissimilar to the other items in the list.

2011(Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital, LLC v. Darning, Gill, Diamond & Kollitz (2009) 178 Cal.App.4th 1290, 1298, fn. 6 [ 101 Cal.Rptr.3d 192 ].) Under this principle, courts will adopt a restrictive meaning of a listed item if acceptance of a broader meaning would make other items in the list unnecessary or redundant, or would otherwise make the item markedly dissimilar to the other items in the list.

2004(Poway Unified School Dist. v. Superior Court (1998) 62 Cal.App.4th 1496, 1503 [ 73 Cal.Rptr.2d 777 ].) Thus, the doctrine of noscitur a sociis (the meaning is derived from context) allows courts to find the meaning of a disputed phrase by reference to the entire enactment of which the phrase is a part.

2004(Poway Unified School Dist. v. Superior Court (1998) 62 Cal.App.4th 1496, 1503 [ 73 Cal.Rptr.2d 777 ].) Thus, the doctrine of noscitur a sociis (the meaning is derived from context) allows courts to find the meaning of a disputed phrase by reference to the entire enactment of which the phrase is a part.

2004(Gifford v. J & A Holdings (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 996, 1004 [ 63 Cal.Rptr.2d 253 ].) Where necessary, this involves drawing inferences as to meaning based on the context of the language under examination.

2004(Gifford v. J & A Holdings (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 996, 1004 [ 63 Cal.Rptr.2d 253 ].) Where necessary, this involves drawing inferences as to meaning based on the context of the language under examination.

1994It is a principle of statutory construction that the meaning of a word may be determined by reference to other terms *50 that are associated with it in the same statute. ( People v. Rogers (1971) 5 Cal.3d 129, 142 [ 95 Cal. Rptr. 601 , 486 P.2d 129 ] (conc. and dis. opn. of Mosk, J.) [discussing doctrine of noscitur a sociis ].) "[W]hen a statute contains a list or catalogue of items, a court should determine the meaning of each by reference to the others, giving preference to an interpretation that uniformly treats items similar in nature and scope....

1994It is a principle of statutory construction that the meaning of a word may be determined by reference to other terms *50 that are associated with it in the same statute. ( People v. Rogers (1971) 5 Cal.3d 129, 142 [ 95 Cal. Rptr. 601 , 486 P.2d 129 ] (conc. and dis. opn. of Mosk, J.) [discussing doctrine of noscitur a sociis ].) "[W]hen a statute contains a list or catalogue of items, a court should determine the meaning of each by reference to the others, giving preference to an interpretation that uniformly treats items similar in nature and scope....

1994A word of uncertain meaning may be known from its associates and its meaning “enlarged or restrained by reference to the object of the whole clause in which it is used.” (Vilardo v. County of Sacramento (1942) 54 Cal.App.2d 413, 420 [ 129 P.2d 165 ].) Section 20022, subdivision (b)(6), excludes from compensation “employers’ payments which are to be credited as employee contributions for benefits provided by [PERS], or employers’ payments which are to be credited to employee accounts in deferred compensation plans; provided, that amounts deducted from a member’s wages for participation in a def

1994A word of uncertain meaning may be known from its associates and its meaning “enlarged or restrained by reference to the object of the whole clause in which it is used.” (Vilardo v. County of Sacramento (1942) 54 Cal.App.2d 413, 420 [ 129 P.2d 165 ].) Section 20022, subdivision (b)(6), excludes from compensation “employers’ payments which are to be credited as employee contributions for benefits provided by [PERS], or employers’ payments which are to be credited to employee accounts in deferred compensation plans; provided, that amounts deducted from a member’s wages for participation in a def