adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.] In a constructive way.
1. In the effort to construct; for the purpose of construction; constructionally.
1865. J. Fergusson, Hist. Arch., I. 171. The Assyrians never seem to have used stone constructively, except as the revetment of a terrace wall. Ibid. (1874), in Contemp. Rev., Oct., 758. [They] have lined … the passages of our houses with … brick-work, because it was constructively true.
2. By way of interpretation; inferentially.
1678. Hale, Hist. Placit. Cor. (1736), I. 132. Interpretatively and constructively, as when a war is levied to throw down inclosures generally, [etc.].
1706. De Foe, Jure Div., V. 14. This is constructively included in Samuel’s Behaviour to them, tho’ not litterally in the Words.
1769. Blackstone, Comm., IV. 142. An actual breach of the peace; or constructively so, by tending to make others break it.
1847. C. G. Addison, Law Contracts, II. ii. § 2. That the goods were either actually or constructively bailed to him or his servants.
