Omar Bennett
The term constitution has evolved over centuries of usage, with its meaning ranging from an individual's physical makeup to the system of fundamental principles by which a community is governed. The word constitution originates from the Latin constitutus, the past participle of constituere, meaning to set up, which is based on an agreement of the prefix com- (with, together, jointly) with the verb statuere (to set or place). The Latin constitutus is also the root of the word statute, which has a legal background and refers to a set law, rule, or regulation. The term constitution was later borrowed into Old French as constitucion, which was then inherited by Middle English as constitucioun.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Latin "constitutus", the past participle of "constituere", meaning "to set up" |
| Based on an agreement of the prefix "com-" ("with, together, jointly") with the verb "statuere" ("to set or place") | |
| Old French "constitucion" | |
| Latin "constitutio", used for regulations and orders | |
| Latin "complexionem" ("physical constitution") | |
| Latin "cōnstitūtiō", meaning "character, constitution, disposition, nature; definition; point in dispute; order, regulation; arrangement, system" | |
| Latin "cōnstituō" ("to establish, set up; to confirm; to decide, resolve") | |
| Latin "constituere", meaning "to cause to stand, set up, fix, place, establish, set in order; form something new; resolve" | |
| "To appoint or elect to an office or position of power" | |
| "Action of establishing, creation" | |
| "Way in which a thing is constituted" | |
| "Authorized or allowed by the political constitution" |
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What You'll Learn
The word 'constitution' originates from the Latin 'constitutus'
The word "constitution" has its origins in the Latin "constitutus", the past participle of "constituere", which means "to set up". The word is derived from the prefix "com-" ("with, together, jointly") and the verb "statuere" ("to set or place"). "Statuere" is also the root of the word "statute", which has a legal connotation, referring to a set law, rule, or regulation.
The term "constitution" has evolved over the centuries, with its meaning and usage adapting to different contexts. In the 12th century, it was used to refer to the "action of establishing or creating". By the 1550s, it took on a new meaning, referring to an individual's ""physical health, strength, and vigour". In the 1580s, it was used to describe someone's "temperament or character".
The word "constitution" in the context of governance emerged around the 1600s, referring to the "mode of organisation of a state" or the ""system of fundamental principles by which a community is governed". This usage became particularly prominent in the 1780s, with the rise of written constitutions in nations like the United States and France.
The term "constitution" also has roots in Old French, where it was borrowed from Latin and used to refer to laws, regulations, or settled orders. This sense of the word also carried over to the English language around the 1400s, where it meant "to appoint or elect to an office or position of power".
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It means 'to set up' or 'to cause to stand'
The term "constitution" has its roots in the Latin word "constitutus", which is the past participle of "constituere", meaning "to set up" or "to cause to stand". It is derived from the prefix "com-" ("with, together, jointly") and the verb "statuere" ("to set or place"). The word "statuere" is also the root of the word "statute", which has a legal connotation, referring to a set law, rule, or regulation.
The term "constitution" has evolved over the centuries, with its meaning expanding and taking on new nuances. In the 12th century, it was used to refer to the physical makeup of an individual, animal, or even an inanimate object. By the 1400s, it had come to mean the "action of establishing or creating", and by the 1600s, it was associated with the mode of organization of a state or the system of fundamental principles by which a community is governed.
The word "constitution" was borrowed into Old French from Latin as "constitucion", and later entered Middle English as "constitucioun". In the context of governance, it refers to the formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulate a government or other institutions. This can be in the form of a written document, such as the well-known example of the United States Constitution, or it can be an oral constitution, such as the Gayanashagowa of the Haudenosaunee nation.
The term "constitution" also extends beyond the realm of politics and law. It can refer to the physical health or condition of an individual, their temperament or character, or even the genetic makeup of a plant. In medicine, it describes the general nature or physical constitution of a person, which can influence their health and recovery from illness.
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It was used to refer to an individual's physical health
The word "constitution" has its origins in the Latin ""constitutus", the past participle of "constituere", which means "to set up". It is derived from the prefix "com-" ("with, together, jointly") and the verb "statuere" ("to set or place"). The word has been used in various contexts and has evolved over time to encompass a range of meanings.
In the context of an individual's physical health, the word "constitution" has been used since the 1550s to refer to a person's physical health, strength, and vigour. This usage of the word is rooted in the notion of an individual's inherent nature or makeup, including their physical and mental characteristics. This usage can be traced back to the Middle English sense of the word, which was influenced by old medical notions of bodily constitution.
The idea of a person's constitution encompasses their temperament, character, and overall physical and mental constitution. It refers to the unique blend of physical and psychological traits that form an individual's inherent nature. This usage of the word highlights the intrinsic link between an individual's physical health and their overall well-being, including their mental and emotional state.
Over time, the word "constitution" in this context has been used to describe an individual's resilience and ability to withstand illness or adversity. For example, a person with a ""strong constitution"" is often described as having the innate ability to recover quickly from sickness or maintain their health despite challenging circumstances. This usage underscores the inherent variability in people's physical and mental resilience.
In addition to referring to an individual's inherent nature, the word "constitution" in the context of physical health has also been used to describe their current state of health. This usage implies that an individual's constitution can be influenced and altered by external factors, such as lifestyle choices or environmental conditions. For instance, a person's health may be described as "enfeebled by the vices or luxuries of the old world", suggesting that their constitution has been weakened or compromised.
The evolution of the word "constitution" to encompass an individual's physical health highlights the recognition of the intricate connection between the physical body and one's overall well-being. This usage of the word serves as a reminder of the holistic nature of health and the interplay between the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of our lives.
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The word was used in the US in 1787
The word "constitution" has its origins in the Latin "constitutus", the past participle of "constituere", meaning "to set up". It is based on an agreement of the prefix "com-" ("with, together, jointly") with the verb "statuere" ("to set or place"). The word "statuere" is the root of "statute", which, like "constitution", has a legal background, referring to a set law, rule, or regulation.
The term "constitution" was used in the US in 1787, and its meaning has evolved over the centuries. By the 1780s, the word "constitution" was used to refer specifically to the fundamental principles and rules of a government as embodied in a written document, as in the US and France. This usage built upon earlier meanings of the term, which included "the way in which a thing is constituted" (c. 1600), "the mode of organisation of a state" (c. 1600), and "a system of fundamental principles by which a community is governed" (1730s).
The US Constitution, drafted in 1787, is considered a significant legal document in the nation's history. The use of the term "constitution" in this context reflected the idea that the people were claiming "superior authority" to lay down the legal framework for the nation. This authority was derived from the Declaration of Independence. The US Constitution is the oldest active codified constitution in the world.
The word "constitution" has also been used in the US to refer to an individual's physical health or condition, as in "a person of hearty constitution". This usage dates back to the 1550s and was also applied to describe the temperament or character of a person from the 1580s onwards.
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It has been used in English since the 1400s
The word "constitution" has been used in English since the 1400s. It originated in the 14th century from Old French and Latin, meaning a law, regulation, or settled order that establishes rules or customs. The Latin root, "constitutus," is the past participle of "constituere," meaning "to set up," which is based on an agreement of the prefix "com-" ("with, together, jointly") with the verb "statuere" ("to set or place"). The term was later used in canon law for important determinations, especially decrees issued by the Pope, now referred to as apostolic constitutions.
In the 1550s, the word took on a new meaning, referring to physical health, strength, and vigour of the body. During the 1580s, it was used to describe the temperament and character of a person. By the 1600s, the term had evolved to refer to the mode of organisation of a state, and by the 1730s, it specifically meant a system of fundamental principles by which a community is governed.
The word "constitution" has continued to evolve over the centuries, with the modern usage being influenced by the United States' history of gaining independence. In the legal context, it now refers to a formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulate a government or other institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
The word 'constitution' comes from the Latin 'constitutus', the past participle of 'constituere', meaning "to set up".
In the 1400s, 'constitution' meant "action of establishing, creation" or "to appoint or elect to an office or position of power".
In the 1500s, 'constitution' could refer to the physical health, strength and vigour of the body or temperament, character. It could also refer to the act or process of organizing, the arranging of parts in an organic whole.
In the 1600s, 'constitution' took on the meaning of the mode of organization of a state or way in which a thing is constituted.
