element

Definitions

1. 1noun

   One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.

2. 2noun

   One of the ultimate, undecomposable constituents of any kind of matter. Specifically: (Chem.) A substance which cannot be decomposed into different kinds of matter by any means at present employed; as, the elements of water are oxygen and hydrogen.

3. 3noun

   One of the ultimate parts which are variously combined in anything; as, letters are the elements of written language; hence, also, a simple portion of that which is complex, as a shaft, lever, wheel, or any simple part in a machine; one of the essential ingredients of any mixture; a constituent part; as, quartz, feldspar, and mica are the elements of granite.

4. 4noun

   One out of several parts combined in a system of aggregation, when each is of the nature of the whole; as, a single cell is an element of the honeycomb.

5. 5noun

   One of the smallest natural divisions of the organism, as a blood corpuscle, a muscular fiber.

6. 6noun

   One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly called cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms, or their tissues and organs, are composed.

7. 7noun

   An infinitesimal part of anything of the same nature as the entire magnitude considered; as, in a solid an element may be the infinitesimal portion between any two planes that are separated an indefinitely small distance. In the calculus, element is sometimes used as synonymous with differential.

8. 8noun

   Sometimes a curve, or surface, or volume is considered as described by a moving point, or curve, or surface, the latter being at any instant called an element of the former.

9. 9noun

   One of the terms in an algebraic expression.

10. 10noun

    One of the necessary data or values upon which a system of calculations depends, or general conclusions are based; as, the elements of a planet's orbit.

11. 11noun

    The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in philosophy, science, or art; rudiments; as, the elements of geometry, or of music.

12. 12noun

    Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question; as, the elements of a plan.

13. 13noun

    One of the simple substances, as supposed by the ancient philosophers; one of the imaginary principles of matter.

14. 14noun

    The four elements were, air, earth, water, and fire

15. 15noun

    the conditions and movements of the air.

16. 16noun

    The elements of the alchemists were salt, sulphur, and mercury.

17. 17noun

    The whole material composing the world.

18. 18noun

    The bread and wine used in the eucharist or Lord's supper.

19. 19transitive verb

    To compound of elements or first principles.

20. 20transitive verb

    To constitute; to make up with elements.

21. 21noun

    an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system

    "spare components for cars"

    "a component or constituent element of a system"

    Synonyms

    componentconstituent
22. 22noun

    an abstract part of something

    "jealousy was a component of his character"

    "two constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmony"

    Synonyms

    componentconstituentfactoringredient
23. 23noun

    the most favorable environment for a plant or animal

    "water is the element of fishes"

24. 24noun

    a straight line that generates a cylinder or cone

25. 25noun

    the situation in which you are happiest and most effective

    "in your element"

26. 26noun

    any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter

27. 27noun

    one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe

    "the alchemists believed that there were four elements"