constructive — con·struc·tive /kən strək tiv/ adj: created by a legal fiction: as a: inferred by a judicial construction or interpretation b: not actual but implied by operation of the law made a constructive entry when he refused to take the opportunity for a… … Law dictionary
constructive — UK US /kənˈstrʌktɪv/ adjective ► useful and likely or intended to improve something: »a constructive dialogue/discussion/meeting »Listening to constructive criticism of certain aspects of your work should help you to make the most of your… … Financial and business terms
constructive — in general use means ‘helpful, positive’, as in constructive criticism. In this meaning it is the opposite of destructive. In legal language it is often applied to ‘what in the eye of the law amounts to the act or condition specified’ (OED), and… … Modern English usage
constructive — [kən struk′tiv] adj. [ML constructivus] 1. helping to construct; leading to improvements or advances; formative; positive [constructive criticism] 2. of construction or structure 3. inferred or implied by legal or judicial interpretation… … English World dictionary
constructive — early 15c., derived by interpretation, from M.Fr. constructif or from M.L. constructivus, from L. construct , pp. stem of construere to heap up (see CONSTRUCTION (Cf. construction)). Meaning pertaining to construction is from 1817; having the… … Etymology dictionary
constructive — *implicit, virtual Analogous words: inferential, ratiocinative (see under INFERENCE): implied, involved (see INCLUDE) Antonyms: manifest Contrasted words: express, *explicit, definite: *evident, patent, obvious … New Dictionary of Synonyms
constructive — [adj] helpful effective, positive, practical, productive, useful, valuable; concept 401 Ant. destructive, hurting, injurious, negative, unhelpful … New thesaurus
constructive — ► ADJECTIVE 1) serving a useful purpose. 2) Law derived by inference; not stated explicitly. DERIVATIVES constructively adverb constructiveness noun … English terms dictionary
constructive — That which is established by the mind of the law in its act of construing facts, conduct, circumstances, or instruments. That which has not the character assigned to it in its own essential nature, but acquires such character in consequence of… … Black's law dictionary
constructive — That which is established by the mind of the law in its act of construing facts, conduct, circumstances, or instruments. That which has not the character assigned to it in its own essential nature, but acquires such character in consequence of… … Black's law dictionary
