Michigan Compiled Laws
Mich. Comp. Laws § 8.3a (2026)
Approved usage; technical words and phrases.
✓ current as of July 2026
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Revised Statutes of 1846
R.S. of 1846
8.3a Approved usage; technical words and phrases.
Sec. 3a.
All words and phrases shall be construed and understood according to the common and approved usage of the language; but technical words and phrases, and such as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law, shall be construed and understood according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning.
History: Add. 1959, Act 189, Imd. Eff. July 22, 1959
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 528
cases (67 in the last 5 years), 1963–2026 · leading case: Johanna Woodard v. Univ. of Mich Med. Ctr, 476 Mich. 545 (Mich. 2006).
Johanna Woodard v. Univ. of Mich Med. Ctr, 476 Mich. 545 (Mich. 2006). “” MCL 8.3a. Because § 2169(1) pertains to “actions[s] alleging medical malpractice” and because the term “specialty” may have acquired a “peculiar and appropriate meaning” in the medical field, it is appropriate to look to medical dictionaries to define the term “specialty.”
Grimes v. Dep't of Transp., 715 N.W.2d 275 (Mich. 2006). “It sets forth the basic tenets of governmental immunity: "Except as otherwise provided in this act, a governmental agency is immune from tort liability if the governmental agency is engaged in the exercise or discharge of a governmental function.”
Ronnisch Constr. Grp., Inc v. Lofts on the Nine, LLC, 886 N.W.2d 113 (Mich. 2016). “See also MCL 8.3a. 42 Epps v 4 Quarters Restoration LLC, 498 Mich 518, 530 ; 872 NW2d 412 (2015).”
People v. Smith-Anthony, 837 N.W.2d 415 (Mich. 2013). “357 (“Any person who shall commit the offense of larceny by stealing from the person of another shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 10 years.”
Allison v. Aew Capital Mgmt., LLP, 751 N.W.2d 8 (Mich. 2008). “hallways, stairs) and hence for whose condition he is liable, as contrasted with areas of which tenant has exclusive possession.”
Kevin Krohn v. Home-Owners Ins Co, 802 N.W.2d 281 (Mich. 2011). “20 MCL 8.3a; Robertson v DaimlerChrysler Corp, 465 Mich 732, 748 ; 641 NW2d 567 (2002).”
Robinson v. City of Detroit, 613 N.W.2d 307 (Mich. 2000). “" MCL 8.3a; MSA 2.212(1). Moreover, there is no indication that the words "the" and "a" in common usage meant something different at the time this statute was enacted.”
Paige v. City of Sterling Heights, 720 N.W.2d 219 (Mich. 2006). “['] MCL 8.3a; MSA 2.212(1). Moreover, there is no indication that the words `the' and `a' in common usage meant something different at the time this statute was enacted .”
Feyz v. Mercy Mem'l Hosp., 719 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 2006). “2d 247 (2006); MCL 8.3a. Thus, because "malice" is a legal term, resort to a legal dictionary is helpful.”
Duffy v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 805 N.W.2d 399 (Mich. 2011). “TRAIL AS A “TRAILWAY” MCL 8.3a instructs that when a nontechnical word is not statutorily defined, it “shall be construed and understood according to the common and approved usage of the language .”
Hodge v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 884 N.W.2d 238 (Mich. 2016). “20 “Pursuant to MCL 8.3a, undefined statutory terms are to be given their plain and ordinary meaning, unless the undefined word or phrase is a term of art.”
Attorney Gen. v. Powerpick Player's Club of Michigan, LLC, 783 N.W.2d 515 (Mich. Ct. App. 2010). “3 In addition, PowerPick's periodic random drawings for Michigan Lottery scratch-off tickets constitute an illegal lottery within the meaning of MCL 750.372, and PowerPick's MegaPools constitute an illegal gift enterprise within the meaning of MCL 750.”
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