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Component vs Constituent - What's the difference?

component | constituent |

As nouns the difference between component and constituent

is that component is a smaller, self-contained part of a larger entity. Often refers to a manufactured object that is part of a larger device while constituent is a part, or component of a whole.

As adjectives the difference between component and constituent

is that component is making up a larger whole; as a component word while constituent is being a part, or component of a whole.

component

Noun

(en noun)
  • A smaller, self-contained part of a larger entity. Often refers to a manufactured object that is part of a larger device.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=September-October, author= Katie L. Burke
  • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= In the News , passage=Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:

    Derived terms

    * componentless

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Making up a larger whole; as a component word.
  • Made up of smaller complete units in combination; as a component stereo.
  • ----

    constituent

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • being a part, or component of a whole
  • * Dryden
  • Body, soul, and reason are the three parts necessarily constituent of a man.
  • authorized to make a constitution
  • * Junius
  • A question of right arises between the constituent and representative body.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a part, or component of a whole
  • * Tyndall
  • We know how to bring these constituents together, and to cause them to form water.
  • The person or thing which constitutes, determines, or constructs.
  • * Sir M. Hale
  • Their first composure and origination require a higher and nobler constituent than chance.
  • A resident of a place represented by an elected official.
  • * Macaulay
  • To appeal from the representatives to the constituents .
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=April 19 , author=Josh Halliday , title=Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised? , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=But the purported rise in violent videos online has led some MPs to campaign for courts to have more power to remove or block material on YouTube. The Labour MP Heidi Alexander said she was appalled after a constituent was robbed at knifepoint, and the attackers could be found brandishing weapons and rapping about gang violence online.}}
  • (legal) One who appoints another to act for him as attorney in fact.
  • (Burrill)
  • (grammar) A functional element of a phrase or clause.
  • *
  • Thus, the postulation of a Noun Phrase'' constituent is justified on morphological grounds, since it is not obvious how we could describe the grammar of the genitive 's inflection in English without saying that it's a ''Noun Phrase inflection.

    See also

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