constitutionalism (konstitushonalizm)

[= F. constitutionnalisme; as constitutional + -ism.] 1. The theory or principle of a constitution or of constitutional government; constitutional rule or authority; constitutional principles. Louis Philippe became nearly absolute under the fornis of constitutionalism. W. R. Greg, Misc. E ays, 2d ser., p. 94. The house of Guelph had no more natural love for con stitutionalism than any other reigning house. The Century , XXVII. 69. 2. Adherence to the principles of constitutional government. constitutionalist (kon-sti-tu's hon-al-ist), n. [= F. constitutionnaliste; as constitutional + -ist.] 1. A supporter of the existing constitution of government.-2. An advocate of constitutionalism, as opposed to other forms of government. The alliance between the Holy See and the Italian Con stitutionalists was inconsistent with the principles of absolutist rule to which Austria stood pledged. E. Dicey , Victor Emmanuel, p. 70. Specifically-3. (a) A framer or an advocate of the French Constitution of 1791. The revolutionists and constitutionalists of France. Burke , To a Noble Lord. (b) pl. [ cap.] A name a umed by a party in Pennsylvania, about 1787, which favored the retention of the State Constitution of 1776, and opposed the substitution for it of a stronger form of government. Meantime the Anti-Federalists of New York and Virginia were pre ing the Pennsylvania Constitutionalists to rally once more, in the hope of reversing the favorable action of that State. J. Schouler, Hist. United States, I. 61. (c) [ cap .] A name a umed by the more moderate faction of the Democratic-Republican 2. Beneficial to, or designed to benefit, the physical constitution: as, a constitutional walk. party in Pennsylvania during a few years after -3. Forming a part of, authorized by, or consistent with the constitution or fundamental organic law of a nation or state. In English law the question whether an act is constitutional turns on its consistency with the spirit and usages of the national polity, and an innovation departing from that standard is not nece arily void. In the United States the question turns on consistency or conformity with the written constitution, and an act in contravention of that is void. To improve establishments... by constitutional means. Bp. Hurd, Sermon before the House of Lords. As we cannot, without the risk of evils from which the imagination recoils, employ physical force as a check on misgovernment, it is evidently our wisdom to keep all the constitutional checks on misgovernment in the highest state of efficiency. Macaulay. The lord's petty monarchy over the manor, whatever it may have been formerly, is now a strictly constitutional one. F. Pollock, Land Laws, p. 43. 4. Having the power of, or existing by virtue of and subject to, a constitution or fundamental organic law: as, a constitutional gov ernment. It requires the united action of both [rulers and the ruled] to prevent the abuse of power and oppre ion, and to constitute, really and truly, a constitutional government. Calhoun, Works, I. 381. A constitutional sovereign, Dom Pedro II., rules in Brazil, and the thriving state of the country is owing to its free institutions. Westminster Rev. , CXXV. 68. a constitution. 1804: opposed to the "Friends of the People" or "Conventionalists."