CONSTITUENT, adjective [Latin , to set. See Statue, Statute.] Setting; constituting; applied to parts of a thing that are essential to it. Hence, necessary or essential; elemental; forming, composing or making as an essential part. Body, soul, and reason, are the three constituent parts of a man. Oxygen and hydrogen are the constituent parts of water. CONSTITUENT, noun 1. He or that which sets, fixes or forms; he or that which constitutes or composes. Their first composure and origination requires a higher and nobler constituent than chance. 2. That which constitutes or composes, as a part, or an essential part. The lymph in those glands is a necessary constituent of the aliment. 3. One who appoints or elects another to an office or employment.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI