constitutional English · revision 5925

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1682}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌkɒn.stɪˈtʃuː.ʃən.əl/, /ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən.əl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|constitution|-al]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Belonging to a person's physical or mental constitution: 1682 in the OED and MWU, the 1680s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Beneficial to the bodily constitution is from 1750,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and belonging to the very make-up of anything from 1750 too.^(OED 1989) In politics, allowed by the constitution is from 1765,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the constitutional monarchy is from 1801, from French;^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) dealing with the political constitution is from 1841.^(OED 1989) In French history, the constitutional clergy were those who accepted the civil constitution of the clergy (1837).^(OED 1989) The noun, a walk taken for one's health, is from 1829, probably first among university students, and short for constitutional walk.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1682 – of a person's constitution.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1750 – good for health.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1765 – allowed by a political constitution.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1801 – constitutional monarchy.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1829 – a constitutional walk.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to, allowed by or established under a [[constitution]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a [[monarch]], ruling under the limits of a constitution.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Inherent in a person's physical or mental make-up: ''a constitutional weakness''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(dated)'' A walk taken regularly for one's health.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[constitutionally]]

+ * [[hyperconstitutional]]

+ * [[anticonstitutional]]

+ * [[anticonstitutionalist]]

+ * [[constitutionalize]]

+ * [[constitutionalism]]

+ * [[constitutionalist]]

+ * [[constitutionality]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[constitute]]

+ * [[constituent]]

+ * [[constituency]]

+ * [[constitution]]

+ * [[constitutive]]

+ * [[unconstitutional]]

+ * [[institution]]

+ * [[state]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}