I.a putting or placing together, a joining together (in good prose; most freq. in Cic.; not in Quint.).
I. Lit. (rare): “lapidum,” Sen. Cons. Polyb. 18 (37), 2.—
II. Transf., an erecting, building, construction: “hominis,” Cic. Ac. 2, 27, 86: ejus (gymnasii), Traj. ap. Plin. Ep. 10, 40 (49), 2.—In plur., Pall. Nov. 22, 1. —
III. Trop.
A. Of discourse, a fit connection: “verborum constructio et numerus,” Cic. Or. 12, 37: “oratio conformanda non solum electione, sed constructione verborum,” id. de Or. 1, 5, 17; id. Brut. 78, 272; and absol.: “nolo tam minuta haec constructio appareat,” id. Or. 44, 150; Plin. Ep. 1, 16, 2.—
B. In gram., grammatical connection, construction ( = conformatio verborum, Cic. de Or. 1, 33, 151), Prisc. p. 1061 sq. P. et saep.