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constitute

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
con·sti·tute  (knst-tt, -tyt)
tr.v. con·sti·tut·ed, con·sti·tut·ing, con·sti·tutes
1.
a. To be the elements or parts of; compose: Copper and tin constitute bronze.
b. To amount to; equal: " Rabies is transmitted through a bite; . . . patting a rabid animal in itself does not constitute exposure" Malcolm W. Browne.
2.
a. To set up or establish according to law or provision: a body that is duly constituted under the charter.
b. To found (an institution, for example).
c. To enact (a law or regulation).
3. To appoint to an office, dignity, function, or task; designate.

[Middle English constituten, from Latin cnstituere, cnstitt-, to set up : com-, com- + statuere, to set up; see st- in Indo-European roots.]

consti·tuter, consti·tutor n.

constitute
Verb
[-tuting, -tuted]
1. to form or make up: the amazing range of crags that constitute the Eglwyseg Mountains
2. to set up (an institution) formally [Latin com- (intensive) + statuere to place]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Verb1.constitute - form or compose; "This money is my only income"; "The stone wall was the backdrop for the performance"; "These constitute my entire belonging"; "The children made up the chorus"; "This sum represents my entire income for a year"; "These few men comprise his entire army"
make - constitute the essence of; "Clothes make the man"
compose - form the substance of; "Greed and ambition composed his personality"
form, constitute, make - to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"; "The branches made a roof"; "This makes a fine introduction"
straddle, range - range or extend over; occupy a certain area; "The plants straddle the entire state"
fall into, fall under - be included in or classified as; "This falls under the rubric 'various'"
pose, present - introduce; "This poses an interesting question"
supplement - serve as a supplement to; "Vitamins supplemented his meager diet"
2.constitute - create and charge with a task or function; "nominate a committee"
institute, establish, found, plant, constitute - set up or lay the groundwork for; "establish a new department"
pack - set up a committee or legislative body with one's own supporters so as to influence the outcome; "pack a jury"
co-opt - appoint summarily or commandeer; "The army tried to co-opt peasants into civil defence groups"
3.constitute - to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"; "The branches made a roof"; "This makes a fine introduction"
constitute, make up, comprise, be, represent - form or compose; "This money is my only income"; "The stone wall was the backdrop for the performance"; "These constitute my entire belonging"; "The children made up the chorus"; "This sum represents my entire income for a year"; "These few men comprise his entire army"
chelate - form a chelate, in chemistry
add - constitute an addition; "This paper will add to her reputation"
4.constitute - set up or lay the groundwork for; "establish a new department"
initiate, pioneer - take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants"
fix - set or place definitely; "Let's fix the date for the party!"
appoint, constitute, name, nominate - create and charge with a task or function; "nominate a committee"

constitute
verb 1. represent, be, consist of, embody, exemplify, be equivalent to

To provide the legal authority for the existence of a new unit of the Armed Services. The new unit is designated and listed, but it has no specific existence until it is activated. See also commission.
Translations
Spanish constitute [ˈkɔnstɪtjuːt] vtconstituir
French constitute [ˈkɔnstɪtjuːt] vtconstituer
German constitute [ˈkɔnstɪtjuːt] vt (represent) → darstellen;
(make up) → bilden, ausmachen

Italian constitute [ˈkɔnstɪtjuːt] vtcostituire

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The addition of these elements that go beyond crude sensation is said to constitute perception.
To take possession of the moon in the name of the United States; to add a fortieth State to the Union; to colonize the lunar regions; to cultivate them, to people them, to transport thither all the prodigies of art, of science, and industry; to civilize the Selenites, unless they are more civilized than we are; and to constitute them a republic, if they are not already one
Two of the parts constitute the medium of imitation, one the manner, and three the objects of imitation.
 
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