term:

Constitute

constitute vt

1 : to appoint to an office or function [those who are constituted heirs or named legatees "Louisiana Civil Code"] [legal authority s all magistrates]
2 : establish found [to tribunals inferior to the supreme Court "U.S. Constitution art. I"]
3 a : to put (as an agreement) into required form
b : to qualify as [a letter can a will "W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al."] [failure to act may negligence]
c : to form the substance or whole of [the bonds constituted the entire estate]

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.