All words and phrases shall be construed and understood according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law shall be construed and understood according to the peculiar and appropriate meaning.
(A) Acts by agents. When any provision of this code requires an act to be done which may by law be done by an agent as well is by the principal, the requirement shall be construed to include all such acts when done by an authorized agent.
(B) And. May be read "or," and "or" may be read "and", if the sense requires it.
(C) Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, and all other groups and combinations, as well as to males.
(D) Joint authority. Words purporting to give joint authority to three or more officers or other persons shall be construed as giving authority to a majority of those officers or persons.
(E) Number. The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular.
(F) Preceding, following. Next before and next after, respectively.
(G) Time. Words in the past or present tense include the future.