constiˈtutionalist
[f. as prec. + -ist.]
1. One who studies or writes on the (political) constitution.
| 1766 Ld. Mansfield Sp. agst. Suspend. Prerog. (Jod.), If Mr. Locke's whole definition of prerogative is taken together..it will be found he perfectly agrees with what other sound constitutionalists have advanced. a 1832 Mackintosh Rev. 1688 Wks. 1846 II. 252 The most famous constitutionalists, the most skilful casuists. 1881 J. G. Fitch Lect. Teaching xiii. 390 With Hallam and Creasy and the constitutionalists. |
| attrib. 1864 Kingsley Rom. & Teut. ii. (1875) 36 The constitutionalist school. |
2. An adherent or supporter of constitutional principles, or of a particular constitution. In end of 18th c., an adherent of the constitution of the United States, or of the French Republic; in English politics, about 1870–80, often assumed as
= conservative.
| 1793 Burney in Mad. D'Arblay's Diary VI. 9 Loyal constitutionalists. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I. 564 This party was styled republicans; the other, constitutionalists [in Pennsylvania]. 1796 Burke Regic. Peace i. Wks. VIII. 173 As being royalists or constitutionalists. 1831 Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 374 The Portuguese and Spanish constitutionalists. 1868 Daily News 2 Dec., The party are now trying to get rid of it [the name Conservative]..Constitutionalist, tory, and tory democrat, are the names between which their choice wavers. 1879 M. Arnold Falkland Mixed Ess. 213 Falkland was born a constitutionalist, a hater of all that is violent and arbitrary. |