constĭtūtĭo, ōnis, f. [constituo].
I In gen., a constitution, disposition, nature : firma corporis, Cic. Off. 3, 33, 117 (as transl. of the Gr. εὐστάθεια τῆς σαρκός); so Sen. Ep. 121, 10 and 14: prima naturae, Cic. Fin. 4, 6, 15.—
II In partic.
A A definition : ea constitutio summi boni, quae est proposita, Cic. Fin. 5, 16, 45.—
B In rhet., the issue in a cause, the point in dispute : constitutio est prima conflictio causarum ex depulsione intentionis profecta, hoc modo: Fecisti: Non feci, aut: Jure feci, etc., Cic. Inv. 1, 8, 10; Auct. Her. 1, 11, 18 and 19; cf. Quint. 3, 6, 2 sq.—
C A regulation, order, arrangement : nec temporis unius nec hominis esse constitutionem rei publicae, Cic. Rep. 2, 21, 37, cf. id. ib. 1, 45, 69; 2, 31, 53: constitutio est in lege, more, judicato, pacto, Quint. 7, 4, 6; cf. id. 7, 4, 5; 5, 2, 5: religionum, Cic. Leg. 2, 10, 23: senatus, Liv. 39, 53, 10; Plin. 34, 9, 21, § 99 al.—
2 Esp., an imperial regulation, order : quodcumque ergo imperator per epistulam promulgavit, vel cognoscens decrevit, vel edicto praecepit, legem esse constat; hae sunt quae constitutiones appellantur, Just. Inst. 1, 2, 6; Gai Inst. 2, 5, § 3 al.