trace element

  1. a chemical element, as iron, copper, zinc, etc., essential in plant and animal nutrition, but only in minute quantities
  2. any element present in minute quantities in an organism, soil, water, etc.

See trace element in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A chemical element required in minute quantities by an organism to maintain proper physical functioning.
  2. A minute quantity or amount: “The trace elements of belief vanish when it becomes apparent that the . . . officer . . . never has suffered the indignity of combat” (Lewis H. Lapham).

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