Missouri Statutes
§ 1.090 — Words and phrases, how construed.
Missouri § 1.090
This text of Missouri § 1.090 (Words and phrases, how construed.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Missouri primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
Bluebook
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 1.090 (2026).
Text
Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain or ordinary and usual sense, but technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
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Legislative History
(RSMo 1939 § 655, A. 1949 S.B. 1001, A.L. 1957 p. 587)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 655; 1919 § 7058; 1909 § 8057
(1967) When used in statutes the word "shall" is generally regarded as imperative or mandatory and must be given a compulsory meaning. Stanfield v. Swenson (A.) 381 F.2d 755.
(1991) If language of statute may be subject to more than one construction, the law favors the construction which is in harmony with reason and common sense and tends to avoid unreasonable and absurd results. Term "resident" means resident at time of commencement of appointed duties. Shands v. City of Kennett, 756 F.Supp. 420 (E.D. Mo.).
Nearby Sections
15
§ 1.020
Definitions.§ 1.025
Registered mail defined.§ 1.035
Voter defined.§ 1.040
Computation of time.§ 1.050
Majority may act for all.§ 1.060
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Bluebook (online)
Missouri § 1.090, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/statute/mo/1.090.