/'kɒnstɪtju:t; `kɑnstə,tut/
v
1 [Tn] (not in the continuous tenses 不用于进行时态) (fml 文) make up or form (a whole); be the components of 组成, 构成（某整体）; 为...之成分
*Twelve months constitute a year. 十二个月为一年.
* The committee is constituted of members of all three parties. 委员会由所有三个政党的成员组成.
* (fig 比喻) He is so constituted (ie His nature is such) that he can accept criticism without resentment. 他豁达大度, 能接受批评而不怀恨在心. =>Usage at comprise 用法见comprise.
2 [Ln] (not in the continuous tenses 不用于进行时态) be 是
*My decision does not constitute (ie should not be regarded as) a precedent. 我的决定下不为例.
* The defeat constitutes a major set-back for our diplomacy. 这次失败是我们外交上的重大挫折.
3 [Tn] give formal authority to (a group of people); establish 正式授权给（某团体）; 建立
*The committee had been improperly constituted, and therefore had no legal power. 该委员会的建立不合规定, 因而没有合法的权力.
4 [Cn.n] (fml 文) give (sb) formal authority to hold (a position, etc); appoint 任命（某人）担任（某职位等）; 委派
*He seemed to have constituted himself our representative. 他俨然自封为我们的代表.

v
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin;Origin: , past participle of constituere 'to set up, constitute', from com- ( COM-) + statuere 'to set up']
[linking verb, not in progressive]
to be considered to be something
　Failing to complete the work constitutes a breach of the employment contract.
　The rise in crime constitutes a threat to society.
[linking verb, not in progressive]
if several people or things constitute something, they are the parts that form it
　We must redefine what constitutes a family.
[T usually in passive]formal
to officially form a group or organization
　The Federation was constituted in 1949.