element
element definition
el·ement (el′ə mənt)
noun
- any of the four substances (earth, air, fire, and water) formerly believed to constitute all physical matter
- any of these four substances thought of as the natural environment of a class of living beings
- the natural or suitable environment, situation, etc. for a person or thingoften in the phrase in (or out of) one's element in (or out of) one's element
- a component part or quality, often one that is basic or essential a good story has an element of suspense
- a constituent group of a specified kind the criminal element in a city
- a determining factor
- any of the data needed or used to make certain calculations, solve a particular problem, etc.
- on certain electric typewriters, a hollow, metal ball with raised letters, symbols, etc. that print as the corresponding keys are depressed
- Chem. any substance that cannot be separated into different substances by ordinary chemical methods: all matter is composed of such substances: elements can be transformed into other elements by radioactive decay or by nuclear reactions
- Comput. one item of data, as in an array (sense )
- Eccles. the bread and wine of Communion
- Elec.
- any device with terminals at which it can be connected with other electrical devices
- the wire coil that becomes glowing hot, as in an electric oven
- Math.
- an infinitesimal part of any magnitude; differential
- the point, line, etc. that generates a line, surface, etc.
- a part of a set or configuration, as a side of a triangle or a number in a matrix
- Mil. a subdivision of a unit or formation
Etymology: ME < OFr < L elementum, first principle, element
element Idioms
the elements
- the first or basic principles; rudiments
- wind, rain, and the other forces of nature that make the weather
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