01 a. Having ability to construct or form; employed in construction; as, to exhibit constructive power.
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1.
Having ability to construct or form; employed in construction; as, to exhibit constructive power.“The constructive fingers of Watts.” — Emerson.
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2.
Derived from, or depending on, construction, inference, or interpretation; not directly expressed, but inferred.
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3.
helpful; promoting improvement; intended to help; as, constructive criticism; constructive suggestions. Contrasted with destructive.
Phrases & compounds
Constructive crimes —
acts having effects analogous to those of some statutory or common law crimes; as, constructive treason. Constructive crimes are no longer recognized by the courts.
Constructive notice —
notice imputed by construction of law.
Constructive trust —
a trust which may be assumed to exist, though no actual mention of it be made.