mid-15c., "to enter into the formation of as a necessary part," from Latin constitutus, past participle of constituere "to cause to stand, set up, fix, place, establish, set in order; form something new; resolve," of persons, "to appoint to an office," from assimilated form of com-, here probably an intensive prefix (see com-), + statuere "to set," from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm." Meaning "to appoint or elect to an office or position of power" is from c. 1400. Related: Constituted; constituting.
