Meaning of 'element' (Webster Dictionary)
- 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.
- To compound of elements or first principles.
- To constitute; to make up with elements.
Meaning of 'element' (Princeton's WordNet)
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
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
Definition
[ n.]