Con*stit"u*ent , n.
1. The person or thing which constitutes,
determines, or constructs.
Their first composure and origination require a higher and nobler constituent than chance.
Sir M. Hale
2. That which constitutes or composes, as a part, or an essential part; a component; an element.
We know how to bring
these constituents together, and to cause them
to form water.
Tyndall.
3. One for whom another acts; especially,
one who is
represented by another in a legislative assembly;
-- correlative to representative.
The electors in the district of a representative in Congress, or in the legislature of a State, are
termed his constituents.
Abbot.
To appeal from the representatives to the constituents.
Macaulay.
4. (Law) A person who appoints another to act for him as attorney in fact. Burrill.
Con*stit"u*ent (?), a.
[L. constituens, -entis, p. pr. See Constitute.]
1. Serving to form, compose, or make up; elemental; component.
Body, soul, and reason are the three
parts necessarily constituent of a man.
Dryden.
2. Having the power of electing or appointing.
A question of
right arises between the constituent and representative body.
Junius.
Hear it pronounced