The word "constitution" is pronounced /ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃən/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The letter combination "st" in the middle of the word is pronounced as "s" and "t" separately, as in "con-sti-tu-tion". The letter "i" is pronounced as "iː", which is a long vowel sound. The emphasis of the word is on the second syllable, as shown by the symbol /ˌ/ before "kɒn". Accurate spelling is important for clear communication, especially in legal and governmental contexts where the word is frequently used.
A constitution is a fundamental set of principles or rules that establishes the structure, functions, and limitations of a government. It serves as the supreme law of a nation, laying out the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens and defining the powers and responsibilities of its various branches and institutions. A constitution provides the framework for the organization and operation of the government, ensuring a system of checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power in any single entity.
Typically, a constitution contains a preamble that outlines the purpose and goals of the document, followed by a series of articles or sections that cover different aspects of governance. These sections often include provisions about the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, the procedure for creating and passing laws, the system of representation, and the protection of individual and collective liberties.
Constitutions can be written or unwritten, formal or informal. Written constitutions are explicit, codified documents, often created through a specific process such as a constitutional convention or referendum. Unwritten constitutions, on the other hand, are based on historical conventions, traditions, and legal principles that are not necessarily gathered in a single document. Informal constitutions may emerge from the accumulation of court decisions, statutory laws, and political practices over time.
The importance of a constitution lies in its ability to provide a stable and predictable framework for governance, ensuring the protection of individual rights, preventing the abuse of power, and establishing a system of government that is accountable to its citizens.
1. The physical make up of the body, including the mode of performance of its functions, the activity of its metabolic processes, the manner and degree of its reactions to stimuli, and its power of resistance to the attack of pathogenic organisms. 2. In chemistry, the number and kind of atoms in the molecule and the relation which they bear to each other.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The natural frame of body of any human being or any animal; the peculiar temper of the mind, passions, or affections; the peculiar character or structure of anything, as of air; the established form of government in a country; a particular law or regulation.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "constitution" originates from the Latin word "constitutio", which is derived from the verb "constituere", meaning "to establish or set up". In turn, "constituere" is a combination of two Latin words: "con", meaning "together", and "statuere", meaning "to set up or place". Thus, the etymology of "constitution" suggests the idea of setting up or establishing something together, referring to the fundamental principles and laws that govern a state or organization.