Cŏn'sti-tū'tion, n.

n. [Lat. constitutio, Fr. constitution, Pr. constitutio, constitution, Sp. constitucion, It. constituzione, costituzione.]

1. The act of constituting, enacting, establishing, or appointing; formation.
2. The state of being; that form of being, or structure and connection of parts, which characterizes a system or body; natural condition; make; conformation.

I did think by the excellent constitution of thy leg, it was formed under the star of a galliard. Shak. Our constitutions have never been enfeebled by the vices or luxuries of the old world. Story. 3. The principles or fundamental laws which govern a state or other organized body of men, and are embodied in written documents, or implied in the institutions and usages of the country or society; organic law. Our constitution had begun to exist in times when statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact definitions. Macaulay. 4. An authoritative ordinance, regulation, or enactment; especially one made by a Roman emperor, or one affecting ecclesiastical doctrine or discipline; as, the Constitutions of Justinian. “The positive constitutions of our own churches.” Hooker. Apostolical constitutions. See APOSTOLICAL.