Apostolic constitutions

Constitution \Con`sti*tu"tion\ (k[o^]n`st[i^]*t[=u]"sh[u^]n), n.
   [F. constitution, L. constitutio.]
   1. The act or process of constituting; the action of
      enacting, establishing, or appointing; enactment;
      establishment; formation.
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   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.
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            The physical constitution of the sun. --Sir J.
                                                  Herschel.
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   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.
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            Our constitutions have never been enfeebled by the
            vices or luxuries of the old world.   --Story.
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   4. The aggregate of mental qualities; temperament.
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            He defended himself with . . . less passion than was
            expected from his constitution.       --Clarendon.
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   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.
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            Our constitution had begun to exist in times when
            statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact
            definitions.                          --Macaulay.
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   Note: 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.
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   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.
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            The positive constitutions of our own churches.
                                                  --Hooker.
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            A constitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius,
            then prefect of Rome, for the regulation of the
            conduct of advocates.                 --George Long.
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   {Apostolic constitutions}. See under {Apostolic}.
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Apostolic \Ap`os*tol"ic\, Apostolical \Ap`os*tol"ic*al\, a. [L.
   apostolicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. apostolique.]
   1. Pertaining to an apostle, or to the apostles, their times,
      or their peculiar spirit; as, an apostolical mission; the
      apostolic age.
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   2. According to the doctrines of the apostles; delivered or
      taught by the apostles; as, apostolic faith or practice.
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   3. Of or pertaining to the pope or the papacy; papal.
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   {Apostolical brief}. See under {Brief}.

   {Apostolic canons}, a collection of rules and precepts
      relating to the duty of Christians, and particularly to
      the ceremonies and discipline of the church in the second
      and third centuries.

   {Apostolic church}, the Christian church; -- so called on
      account of its apostolic foundation, doctrine, and order.
      The churches of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem
      were called apostolic churches.

   {Apostolic constitutions}, directions of a nature similar to
      the apostolic canons, and perhaps compiled by the same
      authors or author.

   {Apostolic fathers}, early Christian writers, who were born
      in the first century, and thus touched on the age of the
      apostles. They were Polycarp, Clement, Ignatius, and
      Hermas; to these Barnabas has sometimes been added.

   {Apostolic king} (or {majesty}), a title granted by the pope
      to the kings of Hungary on account of the extensive
      propagation of Christianity by St. Stephen, the founder of
      the royal line. It is now a title of the emperor of
      Austria in right of the throne of Hungary.

   {Apostolic see}, a see founded and governed by an apostle;
      specifically, the Church of Rome; -- so called because, in
      the Roman Catholic belief, the pope is the successor of
      St. Peter, the prince of the apostles, and the only
      apostle who has successors in the apostolic office.

   {Apostolical succession}, the regular and uninterrupted
      transmission of ministerial authority by a succession of
      bishops from the apostles to any subsequent period.
      --Hook.
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