Section 2.16 Words Should Be Considered in Their Context—Noscitur a Sociis

• Library: Contracts 2016 Supp

d. (§2.16) Words Should Be Considered in Their Context—Noscitur a Sociis

Another rule Missouri courts use to construe the meaning of a particular word of phrase in a contract is noscitur a sociis. The notable treatise Corbin on Contracts defines the rule
of noscitur a sociis as “the meaning of unclear words may
be gleaned by reference to other words associated with
it.” 5 Corbin on Contracts § 24.28, p. 306 (rev. ed. 1998). At least one Missouri court has stated the rule more colloquially as “words are judged by the company they keep.” Standard Operations, Inc. v. Montague, 758 S.W.2d 442, 444 (Mo. banc 1988). Generally, noscitur a sociis is used to convey the...