Constitution
[kɒnstɪ'tjuːʃ(ə)n] or ['kɑnstə'tʊʃən]
Definition
(noun.) the act of forming or establishing something; 'the constitution of a PTA group last year'; 'it was the establishment of his reputation'; 'he still remembers the organization of the club'.
(noun.) a United States 44-gun frigate that was one of the first three naval ships built by the United States; it won brilliant victories over British frigates during the War of 1812 and is without doubt the most famous ship in the history of the United States Navy; it has been rebuilt and is anchored in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston.
(noun.) the way in which someone or something is composed.
Inputed by Clinton--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act or process of constituting; the action of enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment; establishment; formation.
(n.) 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.
(n.) 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.
(n.) The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament.
(n.) 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.
(n.) 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.
Typist: Vivienne
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Formation, organization.[2]. Quality, character, temper, temperament, spirit, humor, peculiarity, characteristic.[3]. Charter of government, fundamental law, organic law.
Editor: Maureen
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Temperament, frame, temper, character, habit, nature, government, polity,state, consistence, composition, substance, organization, structure,regulation, law
ANT:Accident, habituation, modification, Interference, anarchy, despotism, tyranny,rebellion, revolution, dissipation, disorganization, demolition, destruction
Checked by Harlan
Examples
- A constitution of the Japanese type came into existence in 1909, making China a limited monarchy. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- To be brief, their kind attention and my own excellent constitution triumphed over the fever, which had been very severe during five days. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- They won't overturn the Constitution with our friend Brooke's head for a battering ram. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- The fact is the constitution did not apply to any such contingency as the one existing from 1861 to 1865. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- But the evil doesn't come from the fact that it plays horse with the Newtonian theory of the constitution. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- These fine differences about the constitution of the Deity interwove with politics and international disputes. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The constitution which this act established, was allowed to subsist for about two-and-twenty years, but was abolished by the 10th of queen Anne, ch. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- A sickroom, indeed, it soon ceased to be; Mr. Moore's good constitution quickly triumphed over his indisposition. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Her constitution is both sound and elastic;--better calculated to endure variations of climate than many more robust. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- In the Laws there is hardly anything but laws; not much is said about the constitution. Plato. The Republic.
- This constitution was chiefly the joint production of a worthy philosopher Sieyès, who was one of the three consuls, and Bonaparte. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Closely related to the constitution and just as decadent to-day are the Sanctity of Private Property, Vested Rights, Competition the Life of Trade, Prosperity (at any cost). Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- It likewise tends to increase the direct action of the physical conditions of life, in relation to the constitution of each organism. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- It is now blessed with an excellent constitution; may it last for ever! Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- Who can care a straw, really, how the old patched-up Constitution is tinkered at any more? D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The vital part of the population has pretty well emerged from any dumb acquiescence in constitutions. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Faculties less delicately balanced, constitutions less tenderly organised, must have suffered under such an ordeal as this. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I shall particularly wish to hear what were the four constitutions of which you were speaking. Plato. The Republic.
- That is why we, the children of frontiersmen, city builders and immigrants, surprise Europe constantly with our worship of constitutions, our social and political timidity. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- The person who holds fast to that idea is forever incapable of understanding either men or constitutions. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Then if the constitutions of States are five, the dispositions of individual minds will also be five? Plato. The Republic.
- We cling to constitutions out of loyalty. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Physiology says, and says truly, that some men are born with female constitutions--and I am one of them! Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- The above view of the sterility of hybrids being caused by two constitutions being compounded into one has been strongly maintained by Max Wichura. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Certainly, delicate ladies have very extraordinary constitutions, Mrs. Elton. Jane Austen. Emma.
- His younger brothers and sisters are also all promising, appearing to have good tempers and dispositions, as well as good constitutions. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- The students of the Lyceum under his direction made an analysis of 158 political constitutions. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The two next stages in the decline of constitutions have even less historical foundation. Plato. The Republic.
- Constitutions do not make people; people make constitutions. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Anger and hatred are passions inherent in Our very frame and constitutions. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
Checker: Polly