constitute

The definition of constitute means to set up or to have the pieces of something.

(verb)

An example of constitute is for a one room schoolhouse to be made up of students of all different ages.

See constitute in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to set up (a law, government, institution, etc.); establish
to set up (an assembly, proceedings, etc.) in a legal or official form
to give a certain office or function to; appoint: our officially constituted spokesperson
to make up; be the components or elements of; form; compose: twelve people constitute a jury
to be actually as designated: such action constitutes a felony

Origin: ME constituten < L constitutus, pp. of constituere, to set up, establish < com-, together + statuere, to set: see statue

See constitute in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb con·sti·tut·ed, con·sti·tut·ing, con·sti·tutes

a. To be the elements or parts of; compose: Copper and tin constitute bronze.
b. To amount to; equal: “ Rabies is transmitted through a bite; . . . patting a rabid animal in itself does not constitute exposure” (Malcolm W. Browne).
a. To set up or establish according to law or provision: a body that is duly constituted under the charter.
b. To found (an institution, for example).
c. To enact (a law or regulation).
To appoint to an office, dignity, function, or task; designate.