I. kənzˈtichəwənt, -nˈst- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French constituant, from constituant, adjective
1. : a person who appoints another to act for him as attorney-in-fact : principal
2.
a. : one of a group who elects another to represent him in a legislative assembly or to a public office
b. : a citizen or resident of a district represented by one so elected
3.
a. : a thing, person, or organism that along with others serves in making up a complete whole or unit : an essential part : component
matter and radiation, the two constituents of the physical universe — James Jeans
society is held together by the mutual needs of its constituents — Abram Kardiner
b.
(1) : an element or radical that is part of a chemical compound (as hydrogen or oxygen in water)
(2) : a phase of a chemical system — compare component 3
c. : a part of an alloy or metallic mixture that can be distinguished microscopically
d. : one of two or more linguistic forms that enter into a construction or a compound and are either immediate and normally two in number (as he and writes for the stage in the construction “he writes for the stage”) or ultimate and of any number (as he, write, -s, for, the, and stage in the same construction)
Synonyms: see element
II. adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French constituant, from Latin constituent-, constituens, present participle of constituere to constitute — more at constitute
1. : serving to form, compose, or make up a unit or whole : component
molecules and their constituent atoms — A.C.Morrison
within the broad confines of science there are many constituent sciences — T.H.Savory
2.
a. : having power to elect or appoint
a constituent body
b. : having the right or power to create a government or frame or amend a constitution
a constituent group
a constituent assembly
• con·stit·u·ent·ly adverb