constituent
UK[kənˈstɪtʃuənt]US[kənˈstɪtʃuənt]
n
a member of a constituency who elects or is represented by an elected official.
n
a component part of something.
adj
being a part of a whole.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
stitu
ent
con
together
stitu
set up, stand
ent
one who, that which
Etymology
the word 'constituent' originates from the latin verb 'constituere', meaning 'to set up, establish, appoint'. this verb itself is a compound of the prefix 'con-' (together) and 'statuere' (to set up, cause to stand). the literal sense is of parts being 'set up together' to form a whole. over time, the present participle form 'constituens' evolved into the english noun and adjective, shifting from the active meaning of 'setting up' to denote the passive elements that are 'set together' to compose a system or body, such as the parts of a whole or the voters comprising an electoral district.
Analysis
Structure: con (together) + stitu (set up, stand) + ent (one who, that which)
- con: a prefix from latin, meaning 'together, with'.
- stitu: a root from latin 'statuere', meaning 'to set up, to cause to stand'.
- ent: a suffix from latin '-entem', forming agent nouns or adjectives meaning 'one who does, that which does'.
Examples
she met with several constituents to discuss their concerns.
hydrogen and oxygen are the constituent elements of water.
the company analyzed the constituent parts of the product to improve its design.