Skip to content

constitute

verb

  1. to be made up of, comprise
L12931 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/ / /ˈkɑnstɪt(j)uːt/ / /ˈkɔnstɪtjʉːt/

noun

Etymology: From Middle English constituten, from Latin cōnstitūtum, neuter of cōnstitūtus, past participle of Latin cōnstituō (“to put in place; set up; establish”), from con- (“with”) + statuō (“to put up; establish”).

  1. An established law.

    A naughty man that will not obey the kings constitute.

verb

Etymology: From Middle English constituten, from Latin cōnstitūtum, neuter of cōnstitūtus, past participle of Latin cōnstituō (“to put in place; set up; establish”), from con- (“with”) + statuō (“to put up; establish”).

  1. To set up; to establish; to enact.

    Laws appointed and constituted by lawful authority.

  2. 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.

    Atlantic gales constantly buffet Morwenstow, whose seven hamlets together constitute Cornwall's most northerly parish. The village is dotted with trees moulded into weird shapes by the wind, and above the trees rise the vicarage chimneystacks resembling miniature church towers.

  3. To appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and empower.

    Me didst Thou constitute a priest of thine.