Constellation to Constringe
Constellation
(Con`stel*la"tion) n. [F. constellation, L. constellatio.]
1. A cluster or group of fixed stars, or division of the heavens, designated in most cases by the name
of some animal, or of some mythologial personage, within whose imaginary outline, as traced upon the
heavens, the group is included.
The constellations seem to have been almost purposely named and delineated to cause as much confusion
and inconvenience as possible.
Sir J. Herschel.
In each of the constellations now recognized by astronomers (about 90 in number) the brightest stars,
both named and unnamed, are designated nearly in the order of brilliancy by the letters of the Greek
alphabet; as, &alpha Tauri (Aldebaran) is the first star of Taurus, c Orionis (Bellatrix) is the third star of
Orion.
2. An assemblage of splendors or excellences.
The constellations of genius had already begun to show itself . . . which was to shed a glory over the
meridian and close of Philip's reign.
Prescott.
3. Fortune; fate; destiny. [Obs.]
It is constellation, which causeth all that a man doeth.
Gower.
Consternation
(Con`ster*na"tion) n. [L. consternatio, fr. consternare to overome, perplex, an accessory
form of consternere to throw down, prostrate; con + sternere to spread out, throw down: cf. F. consternation.
See Stratum.] Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror,
combined with amazement; dismay.
The chiefs around,
In silence wrapped, in consternation drowned.
Attend the stern reply.
Pope.
Syn. — Alarm; fright; amazement; astonishment; surprise; panic; perturbation. See Alarm.
Constipate
(Con"sti*pate) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Constipated; p. pr. & vb. n. Constipating.] [L. constipatus,
p. p. of constipare; con- + stipare to crowd together. See Costive.]
1. To crowd or cram into a narrow compass; to press together or condense. [Obs.]
Of cold the property is to condense and constipate.
Bacon.
2. To stop (a channel) by filling it, and preventing passage through it; as, to constipate the capillary
vessels.
3. (Med.) To render costive; to cause constipation in.
Constipation
(Con`sti*pa"tion) n. [L. constipatio a crowding together: cf. F. constipation.]
1. Act of crowding anything into a less compass, or the state of being crowded or pressed together; condensation.
[Obs.]
Fullness of matter, or a pretty close constipation . . . of its particles.
Boyle.
2. A state of the bowels in which the evacuations are infrequent and difficult, or the intestines become
filled with hardened fæces; costiveness.
Constituency
(Con*stit"u*en*cy) n.; pl. Constituencies A body of constituents, as the body of citizens
or voters in a representative district.
