constitute

constitute
\ \ [15] Etymologically, that which is constituted is that which is ‘caused to stand’ or ‘set up’. The word comes from the past participle of Latin constituerefix, establish’, a compound verb formed from the intensive prefix com- and statuereset up’ (source of English statute). This was a derivative of Latin status (whence English state and status), which itself began life as the past participle of stārestand’ (a relative of English stand). The derivative constituent [17] comes (partly via French) from the Latin present participle constituēns.
\ \ Cf.STAND, STATUE, STATUS, STATUTE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • constitute — con·sti·tute / kän stə ˌtüt, ˌtyüt/ vt 1: to appoint to an office or function those who are constituted heirs or named legatees Louisiana Civil Code legal authority constitute s all magistrates 2 …   Law dictionary

  • Constitute — Con sti*tute (k[o^]n st[ict]*t[=u]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Constituted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Constituting}.] [L. constitutus, p. p. of constiture to constitute; con + statuere to place, set, fr. status station, fr. stare to stand. See {Stand}.] 1.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • constitute — UK US /ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/ verb [T] ► to be the parts that form something: »Economy travellers constitute about 80% of the airline s business. ► to be something, or to be considered as something: »Giving feedback on individual salespersons always… …   Financial and business terms

  • constitute — mid 15c., verb use of adjective constitute, made up, formed (late 14c.), from L. constitutus arranged, settled, pp. adj. from constituere to cause to stand, set up, fix, place, establish, set in order; form something new; resolve, of persons, to… …   Etymology dictionary

  • constitute — [v1] comprise, form aggregate, complement, complete, compose, compound, construct, cook up*, create, develop, dream up*, embody, enact, establish, fill out, fix, flesh out*, found, frame, fudge together*, incorporate, integrate, make, make up,… …   New thesaurus

  • constitute — [kän′stə to͞ot΄, kän′stətyo͞ot΄] vt. constituted, constituting [ME constituten < L constitutus, pp. of constituere, to set up, establish < com , together + statuere, to set: see STATUE] 1. to set up (a law, government, institution, etc.);… …   English World dictionary

  • Constitute — Con sti*tute (k[o^]n st[ict]*t[=u]t), n. An established law. [Obs.] T. Preston. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • constitute — ► VERB 1) be (a part) of a whole. 2) be or be equivalent to. 3) (usu. be constituted) establish by law. ORIGIN Latin constituere establish, appoint , from statuere set up …   English terms dictionary

  • constitute */*/ — UK [ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːt] / US [ˈkɑnstɪˌtut] verb Word forms constitute : present tense I/you/we/they constitute he/she/it constitutes present participle constituting past tense constituted past participle constituted formal 1) [linking verb] if several …   English dictionary

  • constitute — transitive verb ( tuted; tuting) Etymology: Middle English, from Latin constitutus, past participle of constituere to set up, constitute, from com + statuere to set more at statute Date: 15th century 1. to appoint to an office, function, or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • constitute — 01. In an election 51% of the vote [constitutes] a majority. 02. It is sometimes difficult to decide what [constitutes] abuse when discussing the discipline of children. 03. The native American population [constitutes] a small but important part… …   Grammatical examples in English

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