[f. as prec. + -IST.]
1. One who studies or writes on the (political) constitution.
1765. [Grenville-Temple], Princ. Late Changes, etc. (ed. 2), 13. Nor is it difficult to guess the cause of his peculiar affection for Prerogative,… and why he opposes it to LIBERTY, two things that no sound Constitutionalist ever did, or ever will divide.
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.
1788. Hugh H. Brackenridge, in Amer Mus., IV. 371/1. I cannot give my word that he is either a constitutionalist or a republican.
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.
