CONSTRUCTIVE
constructive
(adjective) constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development; “constructive criticism”; “a constructive attitude”; “a constructive philosophy”; “constructive permission”
constructive
(adjective) emphasizing what is laudable or hopeful or to the good; “constructive criticism”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
constructive (comparative more constructive, superlative most constructive)
Relating to or causing construction.
Carefully considered and meant to be helpful.
(legal) Imputed by law; created to give legal effect to something for equitable reasons, as with constructive notice or a constructive trust.
Not direct or expressed, but inferred.
Synonyms
• (carefully considered and meant to be helpful): productive
Antonyms
• (relating to or causing construction): destructive
• (carefully considered and meant to be helpful): destructive
Source: Wiktionary
Con*struct"ive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. constructif.]
1. Having ability to construct or form; employed in construction; as,
to exhibit constructive power.
The constructive fingers of Watts. Emerson.
2. Derived from, or depending on, construction or interpretation; not
directly expressed, but inferred. Constructive crimes (Law), acts
having effects analogous to those of some statutory or common law
crimes; as, constructive treason. Constructive crimes are no longer
recognized by the courts.
– Constructive notice, notice imputed by construction of law.
– Constructive trust, a trust which may be assumed to exist, though
no actual mention of it be made.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition