Part 500

2. To devise; to invent; to set in order; to arrange; as, to construct a theory of ethics.

Syn. -- To build; erect; form; compile; make; fabricate; originate; invent.

Con"struct (?), a. Formed by, or relating to, construction, interpretation, or inference.

Construct form or state (Heb. Gram.), that of a noun used before another which has the genitive relation to it.

Con*struct"er (?), n. One who, or that which, constructs or frames.

Con*struc"tion (?), n. [L. constructio: cf. F. construction.] 1. The process or art of constructing; the act of building; erection; the act of devising and forming; fabrication; composition.

2. The form or manner of building or putting together the parts of anything; structure; arrangement.

An astrolabe of peculiar construction. Whewell.

3. (Gram.) The arrangement and connection of words in a sentence; syntactical arrangement.

Some particles . . . in certain constructions have the sense of a whole sentence contained in them. Locke.

4. The method of construing, interpreting, or explaining a declaration or fact; an attributed sense or meaning; understanding; explanation; interpretation; sense.

Any person . . . might, by the sort of construction that would be put on this act, become liable to the penalties of treason. Hallam.

Strictly, the term [construction] signifies determining the meaning and proper effect of language by a consideration of the subject matter and attendant circumstances in connection with the words employed. Abbott.

Interpretation properly precedes construction, but it does not go beyond the written text. Parsons.

Construction of an equation (Math.), the drawing of such lines and figures as will represent geometrically the quantities in the equation, and their relations to each other. -- Construction train (Railroad), a train for transporting men and materials for construction or repairs.

Con*struc"tion*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or deduced from, construction or interpretation.

Con*struc"tion*ist, n. One who puts a certain construction upon some writing or instrument, as the Constitutions of the United States; as, a strict constructionist; a broad constructionist.

Con*struct"ive (?), a. [Cf. F. constructif.] 1. Having ability to construct or form; employed in construction; as, to exhibit constructive power.

The constructive fingers of Watts. Emerson.

2. Derived from, or depending on, construction or interpretation; not directly expressed, but inferred.

Constructive crimes (Law), acts having effects analogous to those of some statutory or common law crimes; as, constructive treason. Constructive crimes are no longer recognized by the courts. -- Constructive notice, notice imputed by construction of law. -- Constructive trust, a trust which may be assumed to exist, though no actual mention of it be made.

Con*struct"ive*ly, adv. In a constructive manner; by construction or inference.

A neutral must have notice of a blockade, either actually by a formal information, or constructively by notice to his government. Kent.

Con*struct"ive*ness, n. 1. Tendency or ability to form or construct.

2. (Phren.) The faculty which enables one to construct, as in mechanical, artistic, or literary matters.

Con*struct"or (?), n. [Cf. LL. constructor.] A constructer.

Con*struc"ture (?; 135), n. That which is constructed or formed; an edifice; a fabric. [Obs.]

Con*strue (?; Archaic ?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Construed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Construing (#).] [L. construere: cf. F. construire. See Construct.] 1. To apply the rules of syntax to (a sentence or clause) so as to exhibit the structure, arrangement, or connection of, or to discover the sense; to explain the construction of; to interpret; to translate.