constitution
/ˌkɑn.stɪˈtu.ʃ(ə)n/
UK: /-ˈtʃuː-/
kɑn · STꞮTU · ʃ(ə)n (3 syllables)
Definition
The act, or process of setting something up, or establishing something; the composition or structure of such a thing; its makeup.
Etymology
PIE word *ḱóm From Middle English constitucioun, constitucion (“edict, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, statute; body of laws or rules, or customs; body of fundamental principles; principle or rule (of science); creation”) from Old French constitucion (modern French constitution), a learned borrowing from Latin cōnstitūtiō, cōnstitūtiōnem (“character, constitution, disposition, nature; definition; point in dispute; order, regulation; arrangement, system”), from cōnstituō (“to establish, set up; to confirm; to decide, resolve”). Equivalent to constitute + -ion.
Example Sentences
- "the physical constitution of the sun"
- "1693, Edmund Bohun, A Geographical Dictionary They have in their present Constitution a Grand Council of the Nobility, a Senato, a College of Twenty six who give Audience to Ambassadors and report their Demands to the Senate, a Council of Ten; and a Triumvirate (monthly chosen by, and out of, the Ten) of three Inquisitors of State; whose Authority is so absolute, as to extend to the taking away of the Life of the Doge no less than the meanest Artisan, without acquainting the Senate, provided they all three agree in the Sentence."
- "Our constitution had begun to exist in times when statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact definitions."