A literal translation of the term ejusdem generis means of the same type or kind.

As per
Blacks Law Dictionary1, ejusdem generis means, where general words follow an
enumeration of persons or things, by words of a particular and specific meaning, such general
words are not to be construed in their widest extent, but are to be held as applying only to
persons or things of the same general kind or class as those specifically mentioned. It is a
canon of statutory construction, where general words follow the enumeration of particular
classes of things, the general words will be construed as applying only to things of the same
general class as those enumerated. Using the definition above, we can say that ejusdem
generis is a principle used to interpret the meaning of statute when wide words are used after
specific words in statute. As per this principle of interpretation, when wide words are
associated with words of specific type, then the wide word should be interpreted as per the
specific words that were mentioned before the wide word. In other words, the meaning of the
wide word should be limited by the meaning of specific words that precedes the word.There
are some advantages of this rule. therefore, we can say that using ejusdem generis principle
means providing a general word a restricted meaning as per the words preceding the general
words, which are of specific category or genus.

Justification for the topic:

It has been said and agreed by many scholars that when legislature introduces statute, it is
very difficult to make it exhaustive. Therefore, in order to make sure that maximum term is
incorporated into the statute, general words like and other devices are added by the
legislature after some specific words. The question now is, why should the meaning be
restricted? The reasoning advanced in support of restricting the meaning of the general term
is that, were it intended to include everything under the general term, irrespective of its
similarity to the specially named matters then these would not have been thus set forth. The
researcher will try to answer these questions at the end of the project.

1 Bryan A. Garner, Blacks Law Dictionary, (St. Paul: West Publishing, 2009), at
455