【法】 合法当局

Constitute \Con"sti*tute\ (k[o^]n"st[ict]*t[=u]t), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. {Constituted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Constituting}.] [L.
constitutus, p. p. of constiture to constitute; con- +
statuere to place, set, fr. status station, fr. stare to
stand. See {Stand}.]
1. To cause to stand; to establish; to enact.

Laws appointed and constituted by lawful authority.
--Jer. Taylor.

2. To make up; to compose; to form.

Truth and reason constitute that intellectual gold
that defies destruction. --Johnson.

3. To appoint, depute, or elect to an office; to make and
empower.

Me didst Thou constitute a priest of thine.
--Wordsworth.

{Constituted authorities}, the officers of government,
collectively, as of a nation, city, town, etc. --Bartlett.