ELEMENT


Meaning of ELEMENT in English

/ ˈelɪmənt; NAmE / noun

PART / AMOUNT

1.

[ C ] element (in / of sth) a necessary or typical part of sth :

Cost was a key element in our decision.

The story has all the elements of a soap opera.

Customer relations is an important element of the job.

2.

[ C , usually sing. ] element of surprise, risk, truth, etc. a small amount of a quality or feeling :

We need to preserve the element of surprise.

There appears to be an element of truth in his story.

GROUP OF PEOPLE

3.

[ C , usually pl. ] a group of people who form a part of a larger group or society :

moderate / radical elements within the party

unruly elements in the school

CHEMISTRY

4.

[ C ] a simple chemical substance that consists of atoms of only one type and cannot be split by chemical means into a simpler substance. Gold, oxygen and carbon are all elements.

—compare compound

EARTH / AIR / FIRE / WATER

5.

[ C ] one of the four substances: earth, air, fire and water, which people used to believe everything else was made of

WEATHER

6.

the elements [ pl. ] the weather, especially bad weather :

Are we going to brave the elements and go for a walk?

to be exposed to the elements

BASIC PRINCIPLES

7.

elements [ pl. ] the basic principles of a subject that you have to learn first

SYN basics :

He taught me the elements of map-reading.

ENVIRONMENT

8.

[ C , usually sing. ] a natural or suitable environment, especially for an animal :

Water is a fish's natural element.

ELECTRICAL PART

9.

[ C ] the part of a piece of electrical equipment that gives out heat :

The kettle needs a new element.

IDIOMS

- in your element

- out of your element

••

WORD ORIGIN

Middle English (denoting fundamental constituents of the world or celestial objects): via Old French from Latin elementum principle, rudiment, translating Greek stoikheion step, component part.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.