Con*struc"tion (?), n. [L.
constructio: cf. F. construction.]
1. The process or art of constructing; the
act of building; erection; the act of devising and forming;
fabrication; composition.
2. The form or manner of building or
putting together the parts of anything; structure;
arrangement.
An astrolabe of peculiar construction.
Whewell.
3. (Gram.) The arrangement and
connection of words in a sentence; syntactical
arrangement.
Some particles . . . in certain
constructions have the sense of a whole sentence contained
in them.
Locke.
4. The method of construing,
interpreting, or explaining a declaration or fact; an attributed
sense or meaning; understanding; explanation; interpretation;
sense.
Any person . . . might, by the sort of
construction that would be put on this act, become liable
to the penalties of treason.
Hallam.
Strictly, the term
[construction] signifies determining the meaning and
proper effect of language by a consideration of the subject
matter and attendant circumstances in connection with the words
employed.
Abbott.
Interpretation properly precedes
construction, but it does not go beyond the written
text.
Parsons.
Construction of an equation (Math.),
the drawing of such lines and figures as will represent
geometrically the quantities in the equation, and their relations
to each other. -- Construction train
(Railroad), a train for transporting men and materials
for construction or repairs.