structure (n.)

mid-15c.; the sense might be "building materials" or "action or process of building or construction," either way it is obsolete. From 1610s as "that which is built, an edifice," especially if large or imposing.

It is from Latin structura "a fitting together, adjustment; a building, mode of building;" figuratively, "arrangement, order," from structus, past participle of struere "to pile, place together, heap up; build, assemble, arrange, make by joining together," related to strues "heap" (from PIE *streu-, extended form of root *stere- "to spread").

It is attested from 1610s as "arrangement of parts," also "the frame or character of an organization." By late 17c. it was used in the broadest sense of "anything put together;" it is attested from 1746 in reference to literary works, by 1961 in linguistics.

"to form into a structure, put together systematically," by 1855 (occasional use from late 16c.), from structure (n.). Related: Structured; structuring.