The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
CONSTITUTION
constitution, establishment, formation, organization, organisation
(noun) the act of forming or establishing something; “the constitution of a PTA group last year”; “it was the establishment of his reputation”; “he still remembers the organization of the club”
Constitution, Old Ironsides
(noun) a United States 44-gun frigate that was one of the first three naval ships built by the United States; it won brilliant victories over British frigates during the War of 1812 and is without doubt the most famous ship in the history of the United States Navy; it has been rebuilt and is anchored in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston
constitution, composition, physical composition, makeup, make-up
(noun) the way in which someone or something is composed
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Proper noun
the Constitution
The supreme law of some countries, such as Australia, Ireland, and the United States.
Etymology
Noun
constitution (plural constitutions)
The act, or process of setting something up, or establishing something; the composition or structure of such a thing; its makeup.
(government) The formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulates a government or other institutions.
(law) A legal document describing such a formal system.
A person's physical makeup or temperament, especially in respect of robustness.
(dated) The general health of a person.
Synonyms
• (process of setting something up): configuration, form; see also composition
Source: Wiktionary
Con`sti*tu"tion, n. Etym: [F. constitution, L. constitute.]
1. The act or process of constituting; the action of enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment; establishment; formation.
2. The state of being; that form of being, or structure and connection of parts, which constitutes and characterizes a system or body; natural condition; structure; texture; conformation. The physical constitution of the sun. Sir J. Herschel.
3. The agregate of all one's inherited physical qualities; the aggregate of the vital powers of an individual, with refernce to ability to endure hardship, resist disease, etc.; as, a robust constitution. Our constitutions have never been enfeebled by the vices or luxuries of the oid world. Story.
4. The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament. He defended himself with . . . less passion than was expected from his constitution. Clarendon.
5. The fundamental, organic law or principles of government of men, embodied in written documents, or implied in the institutions and usages of the country or society; also, a written instrument embodying such organic law, and laying down fundamental rules and principles for the conduct of affairs. Our constitution had begun to exist in times when statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact definitions. Macaulay.
Note: In England the constitution is unwritten, and may be modified from time to time by act of Parliament. In the United States a constitution cannot ordinarily be modified, exept through such processes as the constitution itself ordains.
6. An authoritative ordinance, regulation or enactment; especially, one made by a Roman emperor, or one affecting ecclesiastical doctrine or disipline; as, the constitutions of Justinian. The positive constutions of our own churches. Hooker. A constitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius, then prefect of Rome, for the regulation of the conduct of advocates. George Long. Apostolic constitutions. See under Apostolic.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Word of the Day
17 November 2024
MONASTICISM
(noun) asceticism as a form of religious life; usually conducted in a community under a common rule and characterized by celibacy and poverty and obedience
Coffee Trivia
