Nositur a sociis means "It is known from its associates".

Explanation:

Nositur a sociis is a Latin legal term that is commonly used in statutory interpretation. It is a rule of construction that suggests that the meaning of a word or phrase should be determined by the context in which it is used, particularly by the words that surround it. In other words, the meaning of a word can be inferred from the words that accompany it.

Example:

Let's consider the following sentence: "The defendant was charged with assault, battery, and other violent crimes." In this example, the phrase "other violent crimes" is ambiguous on its own. However, when we apply the principle of nositur a sociis, we can infer that "other violent crimes" refers to crimes that are similar in nature to assault and battery. This interpretation is based on the fact that assault and battery are both violent crimes, and therefore, it is reasonable to assume that "other violent crimes" refers to crimes of a similar nature.

Significance:

The principle of nositur a sociis is important in statutory interpretation because it helps to ensure that the intent of the legislature is accurately reflected in the interpretation of the law. By considering the context in which a word or phrase is used, judges and legal scholars can avoid giving an overly broad or narrow interpretation to a particular provision. This rule helps to promote consistency and coherence in the interpretation of statutes.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, nositur a sociis is a principle of statutory interpretation that suggests that the meaning of a word or phrase should be determined by the context in which it is used, particularly by the words that surround it. It is an important tool that helps to ensure that the intent of the legislature is accurately reflected in the interpretation of the law.