The following words and expressions both in this and the special Act shall have the several meanings hereby assigned to them, unless there be something either in the subject or context repugnant to such construction; (that is to say,)

• Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural number; and words importing the plural number only shall include the singular number:

• Words importing the masculine gender only shall include females:

• The word “lands” shall extend to houses, lands, tenements, and heritages, of any description or tenure:

• The word “lease” shall include a missive of lease:

• The word “month” shall mean calendar month:

• The “lord ordinary” shall mean the lord ordinary of the Court of Session in Scotland officiating on the bills in time of vacation, or the junior lord ordinary, if in time of session, as the case may be:

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• The word “sheriff” shall include the sheriff substitute:

• The word “justices” shall mean justices of the peace acting for the F3. . .place where the matter requiring the cognizance of any such justice shall arise, and who shall not be interested in the matter; and where such matter shall arise in respect of lands, being the property of one and the same party, situate not wholly in any one F3. . . place, the same shall mean a justice acting for the F3. . . place where any part of such lands shall be situate, and who shall not be interested in such matter; and where any matter shall be authorized or required to be done by two justices the expression “two justices” shall be understood to mean two or more justices assembled and acting together.

• Where under the provisions of this or the special Act, or any Act incorporated therewith, any notice shall be required to be given to the owner of any lands, or where any Act shall be authorized or required to be done with the consent of any such owner, the word “owner” shall be understood to mean any person or corporation, or trustees or others, who, under the provisions of this or the special Act, would be enabled to sell and convey lands to the promoters of the undertaking:

• The expression “the Bank” shall mean any one of the incorporated or chartered banks in Scotland.