Under Washington State canons of statutory construction, what is the dictionary rule? Here’s my point of view
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THE DICTIONARY RULE
Generally, “Legislative definitions provided in a statute are controlling, but in the absence of a statutory definition, courts may give a term its plain and ordinary meaning by reference to a standard dictionary.” Fraternal Order of Eagles v. Grand Aerie of Fraternal Order of Eagles, 148 Wn.2d 224, 239, 59 P.3d 655 (Wash. 2002) (citing State v. Sullivan, 143 Wn.2d 162, 174, 19 P.3d 1012 (2001)).
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-gw