constitute

To set up; to establish; to enact.

Noun

  1. An established law.
    • A naughty man that will not obey the kings constitute. - 1569, Thomas Preston, Cambyses:

Origin

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”).

Forms

constitutes

Verb

  1. To set up; to establish; to enact.
    • Laws appointed and constituted by lawful authority. - 1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC:
  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...
  3. To appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and empower.
    • Me didst Thou constitute a priest of thine. - 1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion:

Forms

constitutes constituting constituted

Synonyms

establish enact make up compose form

Related

constituency constituent constitution constitutional constitutionalization constitutive

Derived

coconstitute constitutability constitutable constituter constitutory preconstitute reconstitute unconstituted