The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Constitution \Con`sti*tu"tion\ (k[o^]n`st[i^]*t[=u]"sh[u^]n), n.
[F. constitution, L. constitutio.]
1. The act or process of constituting; the action of
enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment;
establishment; formation.
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2. The state of being; that form of being, or structure and
connection of parts, which constitutes and characterizes a
system or body; natural condition; structure; texture;
conformation.
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The physical constitution of the sun. --Sir J.
Herschel.
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3. The aggregate of all one's inherited physical qualities;
the aggregate of the vital powers of an individual, with
reference to ability to endure hardship, resist disease,
etc.; as, a robust constitution.
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Our constitutions have never been enfeebled by the
vices or luxuries of the old world. --Story.
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4. The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament.
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He defended himself with . . . less passion than was
expected from his constitution. --Clarendon.
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5. The fundamental, organic law or principles of government
of men, embodied in written documents, or implied in the
institutions and usages of the country or society; also, a
written instrument embodying such organic law, and laying
down fundamental rules and principles for the conduct of
affairs.
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Our constitution had begun to exist in times when
statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact
definitions. --Macaulay.
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Note: In England the constitution is unwritten, and may be
modified from time to time by act of Parliament. In the
United States a constitution cannot ordinarily be
modified, exept through such processes as the
constitution itself ordains.
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6. 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.
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The positive constitutions of our own churches.
--Hooker.
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A constitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius,
then prefect of Rome, for the regulation of the
conduct of advocates. --George Long.
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Apostolic constitutions. See under Apostolic.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Apostolic \Ap`os*tol"ic\, Apostolical \Ap`os*tol"ic*al\, a. [L.
apostolicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. apostolique.]
1. Pertaining to an apostle, or to the apostles, their times,
or their peculiar spirit; as, an apostolical mission; the
apostolic age.
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2. According to the doctrines of the apostles; delivered or
taught by the apostles; as, apostolic faith or practice.
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3. Of or pertaining to the pope or the papacy; papal.
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Apostolical brief. See under Brief.
Apostolic canons, a collection of rules and precepts
relating to the duty of Christians, and particularly to
the ceremonies and discipline of the church in the second
and third centuries.
Apostolic church, the Christian church; -- so called on
account of its apostolic foundation, doctrine, and order.
The churches of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem
were called apostolic churches.
Apostolic constitutions, directions of a nature similar to
the apostolic canons, and perhaps compiled by the same
authors or author.
Apostolic fathers, early Christian writers, who were born
in the first century, and thus touched on the age of the
apostles. They were Polycarp, Clement, Ignatius, and
Hermas; to these Barnabas has sometimes been added.
Apostolic king (or majesty), a title granted by the pope
to the kings of Hungary on account of the extensive
propagation of Christianity by St. Stephen, the founder of
the royal line. It is now a title of the emperor of
Austria in right of the throne of Hungary.
Apostolic see, a see founded and governed by an apostle;
specifically, the Church of Rome; -- so called because, in
the Roman Catholic belief, the pope is the successor of
St. Peter, the prince of the apostles, and the only
apostle who has successors in the apostolic office.
Apostolical succession, the regular and uninterrupted
transmission of ministerial authority by a succession of
bishops from the apostles to any subsequent period.
--Hook.
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