constitutions

Noun

constitution (plural constitutions)

1. The act, or process of setting something up, or establishing something; the composition or structure of such a thing; its makeup.
   • the physical constitution of the sun1876, John Herschel, Outlines of Astronomy

   Synonyms:

   configuration, form, arrangement, composition, format, makeup, structure

2. The formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulates a government or other institutions.
   • They have in their present Constitution a Grand Council of the Nobility, a Senato, a College of Twenty six who give Audience to Ambassadors and report their Demands to the Senate, a Council of Ten; and a Triumvirate (monthly chosen by, and out of, the Ten) of three Inquisitors of State; whose...1693, Edmund Bohun, A Geographical Dictionary
3. A legal document describing such a formal system.
4. A document issued by a religious authority serving to promulgate some particular church laws or doctrines.
5. A person's physical makeup or temperament, especially in respect of robustness.
   • He has a strong constitution, so he should make a quick recovery from the illness.
6. (dated) The general health of a person.
   • But when once his constitution began to decline, he broke very fast, and being attacked bya complication of diseases, he at length gave way to fate, May 10, 1733.1766 May, “The Life of Mr. Barton Booth”, in The Gentleman's and London Magazine: Or Monthly Chronologer, page 281

See all 7 meanings of constitution