constitute
English
Etymology
From Middle English constituten, from Latin cōnstitūtum, neuter of cōnstitūtus, past participle of Latin cōnstituō (“to put in place, set up, establish”).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈkɑnstɪt(j)uːt/
Audio (UK) (file)
Verb
constitute (third-person singular simple present constitutes, present participle constituting, simple past and past participle constituted)
- (transitive) To set up; to establish; to enact.
- 1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], OCLC 1203220866:
- Laws appointed and constituted by lawful authority.
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- (transitive) To make up; to compose; to form.
- 1779–81, Samuel Johnson, "Abraham Cowley" in Lives of the Most Eminent English Poet
- Truth and reason constitute that intellectual gold that defies destruction.
- 1779–81, Samuel Johnson, "Abraham Cowley" in Lives of the Most Eminent English Poet
- (transitive) To appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and empower.
- 1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion
- Me didst Thou constitute a priest of thine.
- 1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion
Synonyms
- (set up): establish, enact
- (make up): make up, compose, form; see also Thesaurus:compose
- (appoint):
Related terms
- constituent
- constituency
- constitution
- constitutional
- constitutionalization
- constitutive
Translations
to cause to stand; to establish; to enact
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to make up; to compose; to form
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to appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and empower
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Noun
constitute (plural constitutes)
- (obsolete) An established law.
- 1569, Thomas Preston, Cambyses:
- A naughty man that will not obey the kings constitute.
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References
- constitute in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
Further reading
- constitute in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- constitute in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911
Latin
Noun
cōnstitūte
- vocative singular of cōnstitūtus
References
- constitute in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition with additions by D. P. Carpenterius, Adelungius and others, edited by Léopold Favre, 1883–1887)
Scots
Verb
constitute (third-person singular simple present constitutes, present participle constitutein, simple past constitutet, past participle constitutet)
- To constitute.