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Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (2)

1. constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development;
- Example: "constructive criticism"
- Example: "a constructive attitude"
- Example: "a constructive philosophy"
- Example: "constructive permission"

2. emphasizing what is laudable or hopeful or to the good;
- Example: "constructive criticism"


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Constructive \Con*struct"ive\, a. [Cf. F. constructif.] 1. Having ability to construct or form; employed in construction; as, to exhibit constructive power. [1913 Webster] The constructive fingers of Watts. --Emerson. [1913 Webster] 2. Derived from, or depending on, construction, inference, or interpretation; not directly expressed, but inferred. [1913 Webster] 3. helpful; promoting improvement; intended to help; as, constructive criticism; constructive suggestions. Contrasted with destructive. [PJC] Constructive crimes (Law), acts having effects analogous to those of some statutory or common law crimes; as, constructive treason. Constructive crimes are no longer recognized by the courts. Constructive notice, notice imputed by construction of law. Constructive trust, a trust which may be assumed to exist, though no actual mention of it be made. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

constructive adj 1: constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development; "constructive criticism"; "a constructive attitude"; "a constructive philosophy"; "constructive permission" [ant: destructive] 2: emphasizing what is laudable or hopeful or to the good; "constructive criticism"