Construction

(-strük's hun.) [From L. construo, construct um, to build up.] In a general sense, the manner of putting together the several parts of a building, of a ship, or of a machine, & c. - (Gram.) Synthetical arrangement of the words in a sentence. Also, the manner of explaining the arrangement of words, or of understanding their purport. (-tiv-nes.) [Same der iv.] (Phren.) The faculty of invention.as phrenologically demonstrated. (-stan-te-a's hin.) [L. con, along with subs tanti a, substance.] A transformation or union of substances originally distinct into a common substance. (Theology.) A religious doctrine; those holding it maintain that after consecration of the sacramental elements, the body and blood of Christ are substantially present, together with the substance of the bread and wine. It is also termed Impanation, and differs from transubstantiation, in which bread and wine are supposed to be changed into the body and blood of Christ, nothing but their appearances remaining:- this latter is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church., (kon sul.) [L., from consul to, I deliberate.] (Pol.) Among the moderns, an officer appointed to reside in a foreign country, to protect the interests of trade, and to aid his govt. in any commercial transactions with that country. A C. is not usually looked upon as po e ing diplomatic functions, and is subject to the laws and customs of the place where he resides. In the U. States, C., after nomination by the President, are confirmed by the Senate, or rejected, as the case maybe, and must give security in asum not under$2,000, or above $10,000, for the due fulfilment of their a igned duties. Their powers refer to the general supervision and protection of their country's commercial interests abroad, as well as to other duties which do not strictly come within the province of the U. S. minister in such country. Many C. are entitled to the receipt of stated fees, and, besides, receive a salary in the greater number of places. Consuls -general are functionaries who exercise a certain jurisdiction over the C. residing in the same country, and hence hold a higher rank. The office or location where busine is transacted by a C. is termed a consulate. Foreign C. in the U. States, before being allowed to perform the duties to which they have been commi ioned by their respective govts., must receive the President's exequatur. (Fr. Hist.) See CONSULATE.- (Rom. Hist.) The title of the two chief magistrates of Rome, whose power was in a certain degree absolute, but who were chosen only for one year; they were instituted B. c. 509. The authority of the two C. were equal; yet the Valerian law gave the right of priority to the elder, and the Julian law to him who had the greater number of children; and this one was generally called C.major or prior. In the first ages of the republic, they were elected from patrician families; but in the year of Rome 388, the people obtained the privilege of electing one of the C. from their own body, and sometimes both were plebeians. After the establishment of the empire in 91, the office of C. became merely honorary; the last holder of the dignity at Rome was Decimus The odor us Paul in us, A. D. 536; atConstantinople, Flavius Basilius Junius,541. [s. 222]