[el.e.ment] n [ME, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L elementum] (13c) 1 a: any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe b pl: weather conditions; esp: violent or severe weather "battling the ~s" c: the state or sphere natural or suited to a person or thing "at school she was in her ~"
2: a constituent part: as a pl: the simplest principles of a subject of study: rudiments b (1): a part of a geometric magnitude "an infinitesimal ~ of volume" (2): a generator of a geometric figure; also: a line or line segment contained in the surface of a cone or cylinder (3): a basic member of a mathematical or logical class or set (4): one of the individual entries in a mathematical matrix or determinant c: one of a number of distinct groups composing a larger group or community "the criminal ~ in the city" d (1): one of the necessary data or values on which calculations or conclusions are based (2): one of the factors determining the outcome of a process e: any of more than 100 fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and that singly or in combination constitute all matter f: a distinct part of a composite device g: a subdivision of a military unit 3 pl: the bread and wine used in the Eucharist syn element, component, constituent, ingredient mean one of the parts of a compound or complex whole. element applies to any such part and often connotes irreducible simplicity "the basic elements of geometry". component and constituent may designate any of the substances (whether elements or compounds) or the qualities that enter into the makeup of a complex product; component stresses its separate entity or distinguishable character "the components of a stereo system". constituent stresses its essential and formative character "the constituents of a chemical compound". ingredient applies to any of the substances which when combined form a particular mixture (as a medicine or alloy) "the ingredients of a cocktail".