Finding References that Define Terms or Phrases

When you search for references that define a term, include words that often surround the definition. The most common terms that surround definitions include:

• construe, construes, construing
• define, defined, definition
• deem, deemed
• explain, explanation, explaining
• interpret, interpretation, interpreted, interpreting
• mean, meaning, meant

Use a W/10 connector to join your term or phrase with definition terms. Use an OR connector between the alternatives. Use the exclamation mark ( ! ) to find all forms of the words. Use an asterisk ( * ) to replace a letter or number in a search term.

For example, use the following search to find definitions of due diligence in Connecticut court cases:

Sometimes it's a good idea to limit your search to those documents that contain multiple instances of your term or phrase. Use the ATLEASTn command (where n = the number of times you want your term to appear in the document) with the FOCUS™ feature to ensure that the phrase due diligence appears at least five times in the same case:

Depending on the term you want to define, there may be other appropriate terms to include. For example, use the following search to find the definition of working conditions in employment cases that discuss discrete hazards as part of working conditions: