constitute English · revision 15467

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1442|origins=ine-pro *steh₂-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/ ''(UK)''; /ˈkɑnstɪt(j)uːt/, /ˈkɒnstɪt(j)uːt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a verb use of the earlier adjective constitute, formed (before 1398),^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|cōnstitūtus]], the past participle of [[m|la|cōnstituō|t=to set up, establish, appoint]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|com-]] (intensive) and [[m|la|statuō|t=to set up]] (see [[statute]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[ine-pro|*steh₂-|t=to stand]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ 1442 in Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-15th century in Etymonline, to enter into the formation of something as a necessary part.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To appoint or elect to an office is from about 1400 in Etymonline, about 1477 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) To set up or ordain a law is from 1535,^(OED 1989) and to found an institution from 1549.^(OED 1989) To make up or form, the commonest modern sense, is from the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986) Constitution, a decree, is from the 14th century, and constituency from 1831, in Macaulay's letters.^(Hoad 1986)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1398 – constitute, made up (adjective).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1442 – to constitute.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1477 – to appoint.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1535 – to ordain a law.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1549 – to found.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make up or form; to be the parts of: ''twelve people constitute a jury''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To amount to or be equivalent to: ''this constitutes a threat''.^(AHD)

+ # To set up or establish formally, as an institution or law.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To appoint to an office or function.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==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.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}