constituent

[ kuh n-stich-oo-uh nt ]
/ kənˈstɪtʃ u ənt /

adjective

serving to compose or make up a thing; component: the constituent parts of a motor.
having power to frame or alter a political constitution or fundamental law, as distinguished from lawmaking power: a constituent assembly.

noun

a constituent element, material, etc.; component.
a person who authorizes another to act in his or her behalf, as a voter in a district represented by an elected official.
Grammar. an element considered as part of a construction.

Origin of constituent

1615–25; < Latin constituent- (stem of constituēns, present participle of constituere to set up, found, constitute), equivalent to con- con- + -stitu- (combining form of statuere to set up) + -ent- -ent

SYNONYMS FOR constituent

3 See element.

OTHER WORDS FROM constituent

con·stit·u·ent·ly, adverb non·con·stit·u·ent, adjective, noun pre·con·stit·u·ent, noun

Example sentences from the Web for constituents

British Dictionary definitions for constituents

constituent
/ (kənˈstɪtjʊənt) /

adjective (prenominal)

forming part of a whole; component
having the power to frame a constitution or to constitute a government (esp in the phrases constituent assembly, constituent power)
rare electing or having the power to elect

noun

Derived forms of constituent

constituently, adverb

Word Origin for constituent

C17: from Latin constituēns setting up, from constituere to establish, constitute