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Delaware Code

1 Del. C. § 303 (2026)

Words and phrases

✓ current as of May 2026
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Words and phrases shall be read with their context and shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the English language. Technical words and phrases, and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law, shall be construed and understood according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning.

Code 1852, §  35;  Code 1915, §  1;  Code 1935, §  1;  1 Del. C. 1953, §  303; 
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1969–2025 · leading case: Delaware Bay Surgical Servs., P.A. v. Swier, 900 A.2d 646 (Del. 2006).
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Delaware Bay Surgical Servs., P.A. v. Swier, 900 A.2d 646 (Del. 2006). “1 Del. C. § 303. 13 . Moore v. Wilmington Housing Authority, Del.”
Farrow v. State, 258 A.2d 276 (Del. 1969). “We approach the construction of § 468A (c) in the light of the dictate of 1 Del.C. § 303, which requires that statutory language shall be “construed according to the common and approved usage of the English language.”
Garretson v. Garretson, 306 A.2d 737 (Del. 1973). “1 Del.C. § 303 lays down as a rule of statutory construction that technical words and phrases which have acquired a particular meaning in the law shall be so construed.”
Wiggins v. State (Del. 2020). · cites it 3× “or 8 grams or more of any mixture containing any such substance,” was unambiguous.”
In re Appraisal of Rouse Props., Inc. (Del. Ch. 2016). · cites it 2× “Regardless of which law firm is on point to prosecute the petitions for appraisal, Brookdale will remain an active petitioner and its claim for appraisal will be protected.”
Delaware Bldg. & Constr. Trades Council, AFL-CIO v. The Univ. of Delaware (Del. Super. Ct. 2016). “merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subdivision (last visited May 6, 2016).”
Paul Nguyen v. View, Inc. (Del. Ch. 2017). “3d at 227–28 (observing that Delaware courts frequently refer to dictionary definitions when searching for the plain meaning of statutory terms); 1 Del. C. § 303 (“Words and phrases shall be read with their context and shall be construed according to the common and approved…”
Husbands v. Delaware Dep't of Educ. (Del. Super. Ct. 2019). “242 1 Del. C. § 303. 243 H.O. Decision at 39 (citing MERIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY, http://www.”
Spence v. Kent Cnty. Bd. of Assessment (Del. Super. Ct. 2019). “22 See 1 Del. C. § 303. 3.9 Del. C. § 8101 (f). 4 Td.”
DNREC v. McGinnis Auto & Mobile Home Salvage, LLC (Del. 2020). “2006) (quoting 1 Del. C. § 303). Further, Section 303 of Title 1 (titled “Words and Phrases”) provides: Words and phrases shall be read with their context and shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the English language.”
State of Delaware v. City of Seaford (Del. Ch. 2022). “” 1 Del. C. § 303. Consistent with this provision, the Delaware Supreme Court has instructed courts to “give the statutory words their commonly understood meanings.”
Gurney-Goldman v. Goldman (Del. Ch. 2024). “”); see 1 Del. C. § 303 (“Technical words and phrases, and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law, shall be construed and understood according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning.”
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