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definitions

constitutive

[ kon-sti-too-tiv, -tyoo- ]
/ ˈkɒn stɪˌtu tɪv, -ˌtyu- /
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adjective

constituent; making a thing what it is; essential.
having power to establish or enact.
Physics, Chemistry. pertaining to a molecular property determined primarily by the arrangement of atoms in the molecule rather than by their nature or number.

RELATED WORDS

basic, constitutional, fundamental, important, integral, key, main, vital

Nearby words

  1. constitutionalism,
  2. constitutionalist,
  3. constitutionality,
  4. constitutionalize,
  5. constitutionally,
  6. constr.,
  7. constrain,
  8. constrained,
  9. constraint,
  10. constrict

Origin of constitutive

First recorded in 1585–95; constitute + -ive
Related formscon·sti·tu·tive·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for constitutive

British Dictionary definitions for constitutive

constitutive

/ (ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːtɪv) /

adjective

having power to enact, appoint, or establish
chem (of a physical property) determined by the arrangement of atoms in a molecule rather than by their nature
biochem (of an enzyme) formed continuously, irrespective of the cell's needs
another word for constituent (def. 1)
Derived Formsconstitutively, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for constitutive

constitutive

adj.

c.1600, "having the power of establishing," also "elemental, essential," from Medieval Latin *constitutivus, from constitut-, past participle stem of constituere (see constitute). Related: Constitutively.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper