construction. In grammar the singular is used to express only one, not plural. Johnson. 2. In law, the singular frequently includes the plural. A bequest to my nearest relation, for example, will be considered as a bequest to all the relations in the same degree, who are nearest to the testator. A bequest made to my heir, by a person who had three heirs, will be construed in the plural. 3. The same rule obtains in the civil law: In usu juris frequenter uti nos singulari appellationie, am plura significari vellemus.