con|ster|na|tion /kɒ nstə r ne I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Consternation is a feeling of anxiety or fear. [FORMAL ] □ His decision caused consternation in the art photography community.
con|sti|pat|ed /kɒ nst I pe I t I d/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is constipated has difficulty in getting rid of solid waste from their body.
con|sti|pa|tion /kɒ nst I pe I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Constipation is a medical condition which causes people to have difficulty getting rid of solid waste from their body.
con|stitu|en|cy /kənst I tʃuənsi/ (constituencies )
1 N‑COUNT A constituency is an area for which someone is elected as the representative in a parliament or government.
2 N‑COUNT A particular constituency is a section of society that may give political support to a particular party or politician. □ In France, farmers are a powerful political constituency.
con|stitu|ent /kənst I tʃuənt/ (constituents )
1 N‑COUNT A constituent is someone who lives in a particular constituency, especially someone who is able to vote in an election.
2 N‑COUNT A constituent of a mixture, substance, or system is one of the things from which it is formed. □ [+ of ] Caffeine is the active constituent of drinks such as tea and coffee.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] The constituent parts of something are the things from which it is formed. [FORMAL ] □ …a plan to split the company into its constituent parts and sell them separately.
con|sti tu|ent as|se m|bly (constituent assemblies ) N‑COUNT A constituent assembly is a body of representatives that is elected to create or change their country's constitution.
con|sti|tute /kɒ nst I tjuːt, [AM ] -tuːt/ (constitutes , constituting , constituted )
1 V‑LINK [no cont] If something constitutes a particular thing, it can be regarded as being that thing. □ [V n] Testing patients without their consent would constitute a professional and legal offence.
2 V‑LINK [no cont] If a number of things or people constitute something, they are the parts or members that form it. □ [V n] Volunteers constitute more than 95% of The Center's work force.
3 VERB [usu passive] When something such as a committee or government is constituted , it is formally established and given authority to operate. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] On 6 July, a People's Revolutionary Government was constituted. □ [V -ed] The accused will appear before a specially-constituted military tribunal.
con|sti|tu|tion ◆◇◇ /kɒ nst I tjuː ʃ ə n, [AM ] -tuː -/ (constitutions )
1 N‑COUNT The constitution of a country or organization is the system of laws which formally states people's rights and duties. □ The club's constitution prevented women from becoming full members.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Your constitution is your health. □ He must have an extremely strong constitution. SYNONYMS constitution NOUN 1
code: …Article 159 of the Turkish penal code.
charter: …the Social Charter of workers' rights.
con|sti|tu|tion|al ◆◇◇ /kɒ nst I tjuː ʃən ə l, [AM ] -tuː -/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Constitutional means relating to the constitution of a particular country or organization. □ …efforts to resolve the country's constitutional crisis.
con|sti|tu|tion|al|ity /kɒ nst I tjuːʃənæ l I ti, [AM ] -tuː-/ N‑UNCOUNT In a particular political system, the constitutionality of a law or action is the fact that it is allowed by the constitution. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] They plan to challenge the constitutionality of the law.
con|strain /kənstre I n/ (constrains , constraining , constrained )
1 VERB To constrain someone or something means to limit their development or force them to behave in a particular way. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] Women are too often constrained by family commitments and by low expectations.
2 PHRASE If you feel constrained to do something, you feel that you must do it, even though you would prefer not to. □ For some reason he felt constrained to lower his voice.
con|straint /kənstre I nt/ (constraints )
1 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] A constraint is something that limits or controls what you can do. □ Their decision to abandon the trip was made because of financial constraints. [Also + on ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT Constraint is control over the way you behave which prevents you from doing what you want to do.
con|strict /kənstr I kt/ (constricts , constricting , constricted )
1 VERB If a part of your body, especially your throat, is constricted or if it constricts , something causes it to become narrower. □ [V n] Severe migraine can be treated with a drug which constricts the blood vessels. □ [V ] My throat constricted, so that I had to concentrate on breathing.
2 VERB If something constricts you, it limits your actions so that you cannot do what you want to do. □ [V n] She objects to the tests the Government's advisers have devised because they constrict her teaching style.
con|stric|tion /kənstr I kʃ ə n/ (constrictions )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Constrictions are rules or factors which limit what you can do and prevent you from doing what you want to do. □ [+ of ] I hated the constrictions of school.
2 → see also constrict
con|struct /kənstrʌ kt/ (constructs , constructing , constructed )