3. De finitions and interpretation .―(1)In this Act, unless t he context otherwise requires, ―
(a)“agnate ”―one person is said to be an “agnate ” of another if the two are related by blood or
adoption wholly through males; (b)“aliyasantana law ” means the system of law applicable to persons who, if this Act had not
been passed, would have been governed by the Madras Aliyasantana A ct, 1949, (Madras Act 9 of
1949 ) or by the customary aliyasantana law with respect to the matters for whic h provision is made in
this Act;