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n. [ Back, adv. + stitch. ] A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of the last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To sew with backstitches; as, to backstitch a seam. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Ballista. ] (Chem.) A smokeless powder containing equal parts of soluble nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. A buttonhole stitch worked wide apart on the edge of material, as blankets, too thick to hem. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. (Needlework) To fold and sew down the edge of with a coarse zigzag stitch. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ }, n. [ LL. caelestinus bine. ] (Min.) Native strontium sulphate, a mineral so named from its occasional delicate blue color. It occurs crystallized, also in compact massive and fibrous forms. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. An ornamental stitch like the links of a chain; -- used in crocheting, sewing, and embroidery. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Machine Sewing) A stitch in which the looping of the thread or threads forms a chain on the under side of the work; the loop stitch, as distinguished from the lock stitch. See Stitch. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. chasteté, fr. L. castitas, fr. castus. See Chaste. ] 1. The state of being chaste; purity of body; freedom from unlawful sexual intercourse. [ 1913 Webster ]

She . . . hath preserved her spotless chastity. T. Carew. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Moral purity. [ 1913 Webster ]

So dear to heaven is saintly chastity,
That, when a soul is found sicerely so
A thousand liveried angels lackey her. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The unmarried life; celibacy. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Literature & Art) Chasteness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Constituencies A body of constituents, as the body of citizens or voters in a representative district. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. constituens, -entis, p. pr. See Constitute. ] 1. Serving to form, compose, or make up; elemental; component. [ 1913 Webster ]

Body, soul, and reason are the three parts necessarily constituent of a man. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having the power of electing or appointing. [ 1913 Webster ]

A question of right arises between the constituent and representative body. Junius. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The person or thing which constitutes, determines, or constructs. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their first composure and origination require a higher and nobler constituent than chance. Sir M. Hale [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which constitutes or composes, as a part, or an essential part; a component; an element. [ 1913 Webster ]

We know how to bring these constituents together, and to cause them to form water. Tyndall. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One for whom another acts; especially, one who is represented by another in a legislative assembly; -- correlative to representative. [ 1913 Webster ]

The electors in the district of a representative in Congress, or in the legislature of a State, are termed his constituents. Abbot. [ 1913 Webster ]

To appeal from the representatives to the constituents. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) A person who appoints another to act for him as attorney in fact. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Constituted; p. pr. & vb. n. Constituting. ] [ L. constitutus, p. p. of constiture to constitute; con- + statuere to place, set, fr. status station, fr. stare to stand. See Stand. ] 1. To cause to stand; to establish; to enact. [ 1913 Webster ]

Laws appointed and constituted by lawful authority. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make up; to compose; to form. [ 1913 Webster ]

Truth and reason constitute that intellectual gold that defies destruction. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and empower. [ 1913 Webster ]

Me didst Thou constitute a priest of thine. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Constituted authorities, the officers of government, collectively, as of a nation, city, town, etc. Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An established law. [ Obs. ] T. Preston. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who constitutes or appoints. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. constitution, L. constitutio. ] 1. The act or process of constituting; the action of enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment; establishment; formation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being; that form of being, or structure and connection of parts, which constitutes and characterizes a system or body; natural condition; structure; texture; conformation. [ 1913 Webster ]

The physical constitution of the sun. Sir J. Herschel. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The aggregate of all one's inherited physical qualities; the aggregate of the vital powers of an individual, with reference to ability to endure hardship, resist disease, etc.; as, a robust constitution. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our constitutions have never been enfeebled by the vices or luxuries of the old world. Story. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament. [ 1913 Webster ]

He defended himself with . . . less passion than was expected from his constitution. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The fundamental, organic law or principles of government of men, embodied in written documents, or implied in the institutions and usages of the country or society; also, a written instrument embodying such organic law, and laying down fundamental rules and principles for the conduct of affairs. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our constitution had begun to exist in times when statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact definitions. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In England the constitution is unwritten, and may be modified from time to time by act of Parliament. In the United States a constitution cannot ordinarily be modified, exept through such processes as the constitution itself ordains. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. An authoritative ordinance, regulation or enactment; especially, one made by a Roman emperor, or one affecting ecclesiastical doctrine or discipline; as, the constitutions of Justinian. [ 1913 Webster ]

The positive constitutions of our own churches. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

A constitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius, then prefect of Rome, for the regulation of the conduct of advocates. George Long. [ 1913 Webster ]

Apostolic constitutions. See under Apostolic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A walk or other exercise taken for one's health or constitution. [ Colloq. ] Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

The men trudged diurnal constitutionals along the different roads. Compton Reade. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. constitutionnel. ] 1. Belonging to, or inherent in, the constitution, or in the structure of body or mind; as, a constitutional infirmity; constitutional ardor or dullness. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In accordance with, or authorized by, the constitution of a state or a society; as, constitutional reforms. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Regulated by, dependent on, or secured by, a constitution; as, constitutional government; constitutional rights. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Relating to a constitution, or establishment form of government; as, a constitutional risis. [ 1913 Webster ]

The anient constitutional traditions of the state. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. For the benefit or one's constitution or health; as, a constitutional walk. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Constitutional law, law that relates to the constitution, as a permanent system of political and juridical government, as distinguished from statutory and common law, which relate to matters subordinate to such constitution. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The theory, principles, or authority of constitutional government; attachment or adherence to a constitution or constitutional government. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who advocates a constitutional form of government; a constitutionalist. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. -ties /plu>. [ Cf. F. constitutionalité. ] 1. The quality or state of being constitutional, or inherent in the natural frame. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being consistent with the constitution or frame of government, or of being authorized by its provisions. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Constitutionalities, bottomless cavilings and questionings about written laws. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In accordance with the constitution or natural disposition of the mind or body; naturally; as, he was constitutionally timid. [ 1913 Webster ]

The English were constitutionally humane. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In accordance with the constitution or fundamental law; legally; as, he was not constitutionally appointed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing would indue them to acknowledge that [ such ] an assembly . . . was constitutionally a Parliament. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who adheres to the constitution of the country. Bolingbroke. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Tending or assisting to constitute or compose; elemental; essential. [ 1913 Webster ]

An ingredient and constitutive part of every virtue. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having power to enact, establish, or create; instituting; determining. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a constitutive manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A form of stitch, where the stitches are diagonal and in pairs, the thread of one stitch crossing that of the other. “Tent and cross-stitch.” Sir W. Scott. -- Cross"-stitch`, v. t. & i. [1913 Webster]

2. embroidery done in cross-stitch. [WordNet 1.5]

n. [ Cyst + -itis: cf. F. cystite. ] (Med.) Inflammation of the bladder. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. destituens, p. pr. of destituere. ] Deficient; wanting; as, a destituent condition. [ Obs. ] Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. destitutus, p. p. of destituere to set away, leave alone, forsake; de + statuere to set. See Statute. ] 1. Forsaken; not having in possession (something necessary, or desirable); deficient; lacking; devoid; -- often followed by of. [ 1913 Webster ]

In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. Ps. cxli. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

Totally destitute of all shadow of influence. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not possessing the necessaries of life; in a condition of want; needy; without possessions or resources; very poor. [ 1913 Webster ]

They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented. Heb. xi. 37. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To leave destitute; to forsake; to abandon. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To forsake or destitute a plantation. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make destitute; to cause to be in want; to deprive; -- followed by of. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Destituted of all honor and livings. Holinshed. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To disappoint. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

When his expectation is destituted. Fotherby. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In destitution. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Destitution. [ R. ] Ash. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. destitutio a forsaking. ] The state of being deprived of anything; the state or condition of being destitute, needy, or without resources; deficiency; lack; extreme poverty; utter want; as, the inundation caused general destitution.

n. The act of depriving of investiture. [ Obs. ] Ogilvie. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To deprive of title or right. [ R. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of stripping, or depriving; the state of being divested; the deprivation, or surrender, of possession of property, rights, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A kind of embroidery stitch producing a branching zigzag line. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. The simplest stitch in knitting. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Cf. F. gibbosité. ] The state of being gibbous or gibbose; gibbousness. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. same as handsewn.
Syn. -- handsewn. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. a stitch used in sewing hems on skirts and dresses. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Hemstitched p. pr. & vb. n. Hemstitching. ] [ Hem + stitch. ] To ornament at the head of a broad hem by drawing out a few parallel threads, and fastening the cross threads in successive small clusters; as, to hemstitch a handkerchief. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a broad hem separated from the body of the article by a line of open work; as, a hemistitched handkerchief. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. in- not + chastity: cf. F. inchasteté. ] Unchastity. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. a. [ L. institutus, p. p. of instituere to place in, to institute, to instruct; pref. in- in + statuere to cause to stand, to set. See Statute. ] Established; organized; founded. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They have but few laws. For to a people so instruct and institute, very few to suffice. Robynson (More's Utopia). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Instituted p. pr. & vb. n. Instituting. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To set up; to establish; to ordain; as, to institute laws, rules, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To originate and establish; to found; to organize; as, to institute a court, or a society. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whenever any from of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government. Jefferson (Decl. of Indep. ). [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To nominate; to appoint. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We institute your Grace
To be our regent in these parts of France. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To begin; to commence; to set on foot; as, to institute an inquiry; to institute a suit. [ 1913 Webster ]

And haply institute
A course of learning and ingenious studies. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To ground or establish in principles and rudiments; to educate; to instruct. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If children were early instituted, knowledge would insensibly insinuate itself. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Eccl. Law) To invest with the spiritual charge of a benefice, or the care of souls. Blackstone.

Syn. -- To originate; begin; commence; establish; found; erect; organize; appoint; ordain. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. institutum: cf. F. institut. See Institute, v. t. & a. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act of instituting; institution. [ Obs. ] “Water sanctified by Christ's institute.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is instituted, established, or fixed, as a law, habit, or custom. Glover. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence: An elementary and necessary principle; a precept, maxim, or rule, recognized as established and authoritative; usually in the plural, a collection of such principles and precepts; esp., a comprehensive summary of legal principles and decisions; as, the Institutes of Justinian; Coke's Institutes of the Laws of England. Cf. Digest, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

They made a sort of institute and digest of anarchy. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

To make the Stoics' institutes thy own. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An institution; a society established for the promotion of learning, art, science, etc.; a college; as, the Institute of Technology; The Massachusetts Institute of Technology; also, a building owned or occupied by such an institute; as, the Cooper Institute. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Scots Law) The person to whom an estate is first given by destination or limitation. Tomlins. [ 1913 Webster ]

Institutes of medicine, theoretical medicine; that department of medical science which attempts to account philosophically for the various phenomena of health as well as of disease; physiology applied to the practice of medicine. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An institutor. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. institutio: cf. F. institution. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act or process of instituting; as: (a) Establishment; foundation; enactment; as, the institution of a school. [ 1913 Webster ]

The institution of God's law is described as being established by solemn injunction. Hooker.

(b) Instruction; education. [ Obs. ] Bentley. (c) (Eccl. Law) The act or ceremony of investing a clergyman with the spiritual part of a benefice, by which the care of souls is committed to his charge. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which instituted or established; as: (a) Established order, method, or custom; enactment; ordinance; permanent form of law or polity. [ 1913 Webster ]

The nature of our people,
Our city's institutions. Shak.

(b) An established or organized society or corporation; an establishment, especially of a public character, or affecting a community; a foundation; as, a literary institution; a charitable institution; also, a building or the buildings occupied or used by such organization; as, the Smithsonian Institution. (c) Anything forming a characteristic and persistent feature in social or national life or habits. [ 1913 Webster ]

We ordered a lunch (the most delightful of English institutions, next to dinner) to be ready against our return. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which institutes or instructs; a textbook; a system of elements or rules; an institute. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

There is another manuscript, of above three hundred years old, . . . being an institution of physic. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]