Definition Definition

element - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'element' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Element [ n.]
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- One of the smallest natural divisions of the organism, as a blood corpuscle, a muscular fiber.
- One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly called cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms, or their tissues and organs, are composed.
- 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.
- 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.
- One of the terms in an algebraic expression.
- 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.
- The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in philosophy, science, or art; rudiments; as, the elements of geometry, or of music.
- Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question; as, the elements of a plan.
- One of the simple substances, as supposed by the ancient philosophers; one of the imaginary principles of matter.
- The four elements were, air, earth, water, and fire
- the conditions and movements of the air.
- The elements of the alchemists were salt, sulphur, and mercury.
- The whole material composing the world.
- The bread and wine used in the eucharist or Lord's supper.
2 . Element [ v. t.]
- To compound of elements or first principles.
- To constitute; to make up with elements.

Meaning of 'element' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . element [ n]
Meaning (1):
- 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
Example in sentence:
  • a component or constituent element of a system;
  • spare components for cars
Meaning (2):
- an abstract part of something
Example in sentence:
  • a key factor in her success;
  • humor: an effective ingredient of a speech;
  • jealousy was a component of his character;
  • the grammatical elements of a sentence;
  • two constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmony
Meaning (3):
- the situation in which you are happiest and most effective
Example in sentence:
  • in your element
Meaning (4):
- one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe
Example in sentence:
  • the alchemists believed that there were four elements
Meaning (5):
- the most favorable environment for a plant or animal
Example in sentence:
  • water is the element of fishes