Mo. Rev. Stat. § 243.010: Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) The word "ditch" shall be held to include a drain, watercourse, bank protection, current control or levee or any drain, watercourse, bank protection, current control or levee hereafter constructed;

(2) The word "owner" shall mean the owner of the freehold estate, as appears by the deed record, and it shall not include reversioners, remaindermen, trustees or mortgagees, who shall not be counted and need not be notified by publication, or served by process, but shall be represented by the present owners of the freehold estate in any proceeding under this chapter;

(3) The words "regular session" and "regular meeting" of the county commission shall be held to include and mean the regular terms of the county commission beginning on the first Mondays of February, May, August and November, or at such other times as fixed by the county commission in accordance with the provisions of section 49.170.