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Finding Definitions of Terms or Phrases

When you search for references that define a term, include words that often surround definitions. Some of the more 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, take the following steps to find definitions of due diligence in Texas court cases:

1. Click the Search tab.
   
   
2. Click the Legal source tab.
   
   
3. Click the following links in the order listed to search Texas state cases:
   States Legal - U.S. / Texas / Cases / TX State Cases, Combined
   NOTE: Because the LexisNexis services list some of the most popular sources on the main search page, you can often link to the source you want directly from the Look for a Source box.
   
   
4. Click the radio button in front of Terms and Connectors.
   
   
5. Enter defin! or interpret! or constru*** or mean! or expla! or deem! or consider*** or requir! or includ! w/10 due diligence in the search field.
   
   
6. Click Search.

Use the ATLEAST command (where n = the number of times you want your term to appear in the document) to limit your search to documents that contain multiple instances of your term or phrase. For example, use the FOCUS™ feature to ensure that the phrase due diligence appears at least five times in the same case. Enter the follwing terms in the FOCUS Terms box:

And remember that many Matthew Bender treatises often include a Glossary of Terms as an Appendix.

• Click the following links in the order listed:

Legal - Area of Law - By Topic - Corporate - Treatises & Analytical Materials - Matthew Bender(R) - Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers

• Enter (glossary or defin!) and due diligence in the search field.

• Click Search.