Constringent to Consummate
Constringent
(Con*strin"gent) a. [L. constringens, p. pr.] Having the quality of contracting, binding, or
compressing. Thomson.
Construct
(Con*struct") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Constructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Constructing.] [L. constructus,
p. p. of construere to bring together, to construct; con- + struere to pile up, set in order. See Structure,
and cf. Construe.]
1. To put together the constituent parts of (something) in their proper place and order; to build; to form; to
make; as, to construct an edifice.
2. To devise; to invent; to set in order; to arrange; as, to construct a theory of ethics.
Syn. — To build; erect; form; compile; make; fabricate; originate; invent.
Construct
(Con"struct) a. Formed by, or relating to, construction, interpretation, or inference.
Construct form or state (Heb. Gram.), that of a noun used before another which has the genitive
relation to it.
Constructer
(Con*struct"er) n. One who, or that which, constructs or frames.
Construction
(Con*struc"tion) n. [L. constructio: cf. F. construction.]
1. The process or art of constructing; the act of building; erection; the act of devising and forming; fabrication; composition.
2. The form or manner of building or putting together the parts of anything; structure; arrangement.
An astrolabe of peculiar construction.
Whewell.
3. (Gram.) The arrangement and connection of words in a sentence; syntactical arrangement.
Some particles . . . in certain constructions have the sense of a whole sentence contained in them.
Locke.
4. The method of construing, interpreting, or explaining a declaration or fact; an attributed sense or meaning; understanding; explanation; interpretation; sense.
Any person . . . might, by the sort of construction that would be put on this act, become liable to the
penalties of treason.
Hallam.
Strictly, the term [construction] signifies determining the meaning and proper effect of language by a
consideration of the subject matter and attendant circumstances in connection with the words employed.
Abbott.
Interpretation properly precedes construction, but it does not go beyond the written text.
Parsons.
Construction of an equation (Math.), the drawing of such lines and figures as will represent geometrically
the quantities in the equation, and their relations to each other. — Construction train (Railroad), a
train for transporting men and materials for construction or repairs.
Constructional
(Con*struc"tion*al) a. Pertaining to, or deduced from, construction or interpretation.
Constructionist
(Con*struc"tion*ist), n. One who puts a certain construction upon some writing or instrument,
as the Constitutions of the United States; as, a strict constructionist; a broad constructionist.
Constructive
(Con*struct"ive) a. [Cf. F. constructif.]
1. Having ability to construct or form; employed in construction; as, to exhibit constructive power.
The constructive fingers of Watts.
Emerson.
