[f. CONSTRUCTION + -IST.]
1. One who practises or advocates construction.
2. With strict, loose, or other qualification: One who puts a strict, loose, or other construction or interpretation upon a law, etc.; in U.S. chiefly used in reference to the interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution as these regard the rights of the individual states.
1828. Southern Rev., II. Nov., 552. So far, we are confident, that the most rigid constructionist will go with us.
a. 1844. Upshur cited in Worcester.
1865. Pall Mall G., 10 July, 5/1. There is very little doubt that Johnson will turn out a Democrat, that he will be a free-trader and strict constructionist.
1880. L. Wallace, Ben-Hur, 266. They were strict constructionists and rigorous observers of the Law.
