constitution
The word carries a sense of structural permanence and foundational stability. When applied to law, it implies a supreme authority that overrides ordinary legislation, acting as the skeleton upon which a society is built. When applied to biology or health, the term evokes an innate, inherited resilience. It describes a person's internal hardware rather than their current state of health, suggesting a natural capacity for endurance or a predisposition to frailty.
Countable when referring to a specific legal document of a country. Uncountable when referring to a person's physical health or the chemical makeup of a substance.
Meanings
The fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or organization is governed.
"The new constitution guarantees freedom of speech."
The physical makeup of a person, specifically their health and strength.
"He has a robust constitution that allows him to survive harsh winters."
The composition of a chemical compound or physical substance.
"The chemical constitution of the soil affects crop growth."
Examples
The nation's constitution protects the basic rights of all citizens.
She has a strong constitution and rarely gets sick.
Scientists analyzed the molecular constitution of the new alloy.