Part 496

&fist; In each of the constellations now recognized by astronomers (about 90 in number) the brightest stars, both named and unnamed, are designated nearly in the order of brilliancy by the letters of the Greek alphabet; as, α Tauri (Aldebaran) is the first star of Taurus, γ Orionis (Bellatrix) is the third star of Orion.

2. An assemblage of splendors or excellences.

The constellations of genius had already begun to show itself . . . which was to shed a glory over the meridian and close of Philip's reign. Prescott.

3. Fortune; fate; destiny. [Obs.]

It is constellation, which causeth all that a man doeth. Gower.

Con`ster*na"tion (?), n. [L. consternatio, fr. consternare to overome, perplex, an accessory form of consternere to throw down, prostrate; con + sternere to spread out, throw down: cf. F. consternation. See Stratum.] Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.

The chiefs around, In silence wrapped, in consternation drowned. Attend the stern reply. Pope.

Syn. -- Alarm; fright; amazement; astonishment; surprise; panic; perturbation. See Alarm.

Con"sti*pate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Constipated; p. pr. & vb. n. Constipating.] [L. constipatus, p. p. of constipare; con- + stipare to crowd together. See Costive.] 1. To crowd or cram into a narrow compass; to press together or condense. [Obs.]

Of cold the property is to condense and constipate. Bacon.

2. To stop (a channel) by filling it, and preventing passage through it; as, to constipate the capillary vessels.

3. (Med.) To render costive; to cause constipation in.

Con`sti*pa"tion (?), n. [L. constipatio a crowding together: cf. F. constipation.] 1. Act of crowding anything into a less compass, or the state of being crowded or pressed together; condensation. [Obs.]

Fullness of matter, or a pretty close constipation . . . of its particles. Boyle.

2. A state of the bowels in which the evacuations are infrequent and difficult, or the intestines become filled with hardened fŠces; costiveness.

Con*stit"u*en*cy (?), n.; pl. Constituencies (&?;). A body of constituents, as the body of citizens or voters in a representative district.

Con*stit"u*ent (?), a. [L. constituens, -entis, p. pr. See Constitute.] 1. Serving to form, compose, or make up; elemental; component.

Body, soul, and reason are the three parts necessarily constituent of a man. Dryden.

2. Having the power of electing or appointing.

A question of right arises between the constituent and representative body. Junius.

Con*stit"u*ent, n. 1. The person or thing which constitutes, determines, or constructs.

Their first composure and origination require a higher and nobler constituent than chance. Sir M. Hale

2. That which constitutes or composes, as a part, or an essential part; a component; an element.

We know how to bring these constituents together, and to cause them to form water. Tyndall.

3. One for whom another acts; especially, one who is represented by another in a legislative assembly; -- correlative to representative.

The electors in the district of a representative in Congress, or in the legislature of a State, are termed his constituents. Abbot.

To appeal from the representatives to the constituents. Macaulay.

4. (Law) A person who appoints another to act for him as attorney in fact. Burrill.