con·sti·tu·tion   (kŏn'stĭ-tōō'shən, -tyōō'-)    n.   The act or process of composing, setting up, or establishing. The composition or structure of something; makeup. The physical makeup of a person: Having a strong constitution, she had no trouble climbing the mountain. The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government or another institution. The document in which such a system is recorded. Constitution The fundamental law of the United States, framed in 1787, ratified in 1789, and variously amended since then. The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government or another institution. The document in which such a system is recorded. Constitution The fundamental law of the United States, framed in 1787, ratified in 1789, and variously amended since then.

Constitution

Con`sti*tu"tion\, n. [F. constitution, L. constitute.]

1. The act or process of constituting; the action of enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment; establishment; formation.

2. The state of being; that form of being, or structure and connection of parts, which constitutes and characterizes a system or body; natural condition; structure; texture; conformation.

The physical constitution of the sun. --Sir J. Herschel.

3. The aggregate of all one's inherited physical qualities; the aggregate of the vital powers of an individual, with reference to ability to endure hardship, resist disease, etc.; as, a robust constitution.

Our constitutions have never been enfeebled by the vices or luxuries of the old world. --Story.

4. The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament.

He defended himself with . . . less passion than was expected from his constitution. --Clarendon.

5. The fundamental, organic law or principles of government of men, embodied in written documents, or implied in the institutions and usages of the country or society; also, a written instrument embodying such organic law, and laying down fundamental rules and principles for the conduct of affairs.

Our constitution had begun to exist in times when statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact definitions. --Macaulay.

Note: In England the constitution is unwritten, and may be modified from time to time by act of Parliament. In the United States a constitution cannot ordinarily be modified, exept through such processes as the constitution itself ordains.

6. An authoritative ordinance, regulation or enactment; especially, one made by a Roman emperor, or one affecting ecclesiastical doctrine or discipline; as, the constitutions of Justinian.

The positive constitutions of our own churches. --Hooker.

A constitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius, then prefect of Rome, for the regulation of the conduct of advocates. --George Long.

Apostolic constitutions. See under Apostolic.

Constitution

The fundamental law of the United States, drafted in Philadelphia in 1787 (see Constitutional Convention), ratified in 1788, and put into effect in 1789. It established a strong central government in place of the Articles of Confederation. (See Preamble to the Constitution.)

Main Entry: con·sti·tu·tion
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin constitutio system, fundamental principles (of an institution), from constituere to set up, establish
1 : the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it
2 : a written instrument containing the fundamental rules of a political or social organization; especially cap : the U.S. Constitution —see also the JUDICIAL SYSTEM and the, CONSTITUTION in the back matter —compare CHARTER, DECLARATION
NOTE: A constitution was originally simply a law, ordinance, or decree usually made by a king, emperor, or other superior authority. A constitution now usually contains the fundamental law and principles with which all other laws must conform. Unlike the U.S. Constitution, the British Constitution is not set down in a comprehensive document, but is found in a variety of statutes (as the Magna Carta) and in common law. Canada inherited many of the rules and practices that are considered part of the British Constitution, but the Constitution of Canada is also set down in comprehensive documents, such as the Constitution Act, 1982 and the Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly called the British North America Act, 1867).

Main Entry: con·sti·tu·tion
Pronunciation: "kän(t)-st&-'t(y)ü-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the physical makeup ofthe individual comprising inherited qualities modified by environment
2 : the structure of a compound as determined by the kind, number, and arrangement of atoms in its molecule —con·sti·tu·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&n-^&l/ adjective

constitution con·sti·tu·tion (kŏn'stĭ-t&oomacr;'shən, -ty&oomacr;'-)
n.

1. The physical makeup of the body, including its functions, metabolic processes, reactions to stimuli, and resistance to the attack of pathogenic organisms.
2. The composition or structure of a molecule.