Obs. [f. as prec. + -ER1.]
1. A framer or writer of constitutions.
1716. M. Davies, Ath. Brit., II. 382. Ibid., 383. Those sham Apostolical Constitutioners.
2. A supporter of a (political) constitution.
At Oxford in 18th c., A member of the Constitution Club, loyal to the principles of the Revolution, and obnoxious to the Tory majority in the University.
1721. Amherst, Terræ Fil., xliii. (1726), 235. There is in the university of Oxford … a dreadful register, call’d the black-book … At present it is made use of to vent party spleen, and is fill’d up with whigs, constitutioners, and bangorians. Ibid., l. 282. A formal presentment of the constitutioners, as … enemies to monarchy.
1731. Hist. Litteraria, II. 452. The Regent … found out this Expedient, viz. to have a Body of Doctrines … drawn up in such a manner, as to please both Constitutioners and Appellants.
