constituent

[kuh n-stich-oo-uh nt] /kənˈstɪtʃ u ənt/
adjective
1.
serving to compose or make up a thing; component:
the constituent parts of a motor.
2.
having power to frame or alter a political constitution or fundamental law, as distinguished from lawmaking power:
a constituent assembly.
noun
3.
a constituent element, material, etc.; component.
4.
a person who authorizes another to act in his or her behalf, as a voter in a district represented by an elected official.
5.
Grammar. an element considered as part of a construction.
Compare immediate constituent, ultimate constituent.
Origin
1615-25; < Latin constituent- (stem of constituēns, present participle of constituere to set up, found, constitute), equivalent to con- con- + -stitu- (combining form of statuere to set up) + -ent- -ent
Related forms
constituently, adverb
nonconstituent, adjective, noun
preconstituent, noun
Synonyms
3. See element.
British Dictionary definitions for constituent

constituent

/kənˈstɪtjʊənt/
adjective (prenominal)
1.
forming part of a whole; component
2.
having the power to frame a constitution or to constitute a government (esp in the phrases constituent assembly, constituent power)
3.
(rare) electing or having the power to elect
noun
4.
a component part; ingredient
5.
a resident of a constituency, esp one entitled to vote
6.
(mainly law) a person who appoints another to act for him, as by power of attorney
7.
(linguistics) a word, phrase, or clause forming a part of a larger construction Compare immediate constituent, ultimate constituent
Derived Forms
constituently, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from Latin constituēns setting up, from constituere to establish, constitute
Word Origin and History for constituent
n.

1620s, "one who appoints or elects a representative," from Latin constituentem (nominative constituens), present participle of constituere (see constitute). The notion is "to make up or compose" a body by appointing or electing a representative. As an adjective, "essential, characteristic," from 1660s; "that appoints or elects a representative to a body," from 1714.