constitutive

[ kon-sti-too-tiv, -tyoo- ]
/ ˈkɒn stɪˌtu tɪv, -ˌtyu- /

adjective

constituent; making a thing what it is; essential.
having power to establish or enact.
Physics, Chemistry. pertaining to a molecular property determined primarily by the arrangement of atoms in the molecule rather than by their nature or number.

Origin of constitutive

First recorded in 1585–95; constitute + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM constitutive

con·sti·tu·tive·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for constitutive

British Dictionary definitions for constitutive

constitutive
/ (ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːtɪv) /

adjective

having power to enact, appoint, or establish
chem (of a physical property) determined by the arrangement of atoms in a molecule rather than by their nature
biochem (of an enzyme) formed continuously, irrespective of the cell's needs
another word for constituent (def. 1)

Derived forms of constitutive

constitutively, adverb