constitutive

American  

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

adjective

1. constituent; making a thing what it is; essential.

2. having power to establish or enact.

3. Physics, Chemistry. pertaining to a molecular property determined primarily by the arrangement of atoms in the molecule rather than by their nature or number.

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constitutive British  

/ ˈkɒnstɪˌtjuːtɪv /

adjective

1. having power to enact, appoint, or establish

2. chem (of a physical property) determined by the arrangement of atoms in a molecule rather than by their nature

3. biochem (of an enzyme) formed continuously, irrespective of the cell's needs

4. another word for constituent

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Other Word Forms

• constitutively adverb

Etymology

Origin of constitutive

First recorded in 1585–95; constitute + -ive

Explanation

The word constitutive describes an essential part of a whole, especially physical makeup. Without its constitutive engine, steering wheel, and tires, you don’t really have a car; it's just a box with seats. Just like a government may be based on its constitution, a whole is based on its constitutive parts. Something that is constitutive may also be necessary for a whole to work correctly. Participate in a 24-hour dance-a-thon, and you’ll likely find your legs are constitutive to your success. Constitutive is one of those words that has both general and scientific uses; you might see other senses of the word in both chemistry and biology books.

Example Sentences

"We shall always support anything that all three constitutive peoples agree upon," Vucic said, referring to Bosnia's Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats and Muslim Bosniaks.

From Reuters • Apr. 15, 2023

But in Meacham’s treatment, such personal details function as supporting pieces in a story designed around high-stakes campaign speeches, the constitutive ritual of inaugurations and grave moments of statesmanship.

From Washington Post • Oct. 24, 2022

In their view, logic is a constitutive norm of reasoning—that is, logic constitutes what reasoning is.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

It is constitutive of being human, just as are creativity, courage, ambition, attachment and love.

From The Guardian • May 7, 2020

It is the same with principles of which universals are the constitutive elements.

From Lectures on the true, the beautiful and the good by Cousin, Victor