constitute

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/ (UK); /ˈkɑnstɪt(j)uːt/, /ˈkɒnstɪt(j)uːt/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is a verb use of the earlier adjective constitute, formed (before 1398),^[2] from Latin cōnstitūtus, the past participle of cōnstituō (“to set up, establish, appoint”),^[2][3][4] from com- (intensive) and statuō (“to set up”) (see statute),^[2][3][4] from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

1442 in Barnhart;^[2] the mid-15th century in Etymonline, to enter into the formation of something as a necessary part.^[3]

Semantic evolution

To appoint or elect to an office is from about 1400 in Etymonline, about 1477 in the OED.^[3][5] To set up or ordain a law is from 1535,^[5] and to found an institution from 1549.^[5] To make up or form, the commonest modern sense, is from the 16th century.^[4] Constitution, a decree, is from the 14th century, and constituency from 1831, in Macaulay's letters.^[4][2]

Timeline

• before 1398 – constitute, made up (adjective).^[2]
• 1442 – to constitute.^[2]
• c. 1477 – to appoint.^[5]
• 1535 – to ordain a law.^[5]
• 1549 – to found.^[5]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. To make up or form; to be the parts of: twelve people constitute a jury.
2. To amount to or be equivalent to: this constitutes a threat.
3. To set up or establish formally, as an institution or law.
4. To appoint to an office or function.

Word family

• constituter
• unconstituted
• preconstitute
• reconstitute

Related words

• constituent
• constituency
• constitution
• constitutional
• constitutive
• statute
• institute

Usage notes

In Scotland, to constitute was to open an ecclesiastical court with prayer by the moderator.^[6]

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)