I. kəm-ˈpō-nənt, ˈkäm-ˌ, käm-ˈ noun
Etymology: Latin component-, componens, present participle of componere to put together — more at compound
Date: 1645
1. : a constituent part : ingredient
an important component of the program
stereo component s
2.
a. : any one of the vector terms added to form a vector sum or resultant
b. : a coordinate of a vector ; also : either member of an ordered pair of numbers
Synonyms: see element
• com·po·nen·tial ˌkäm-pə-ˈnen(t)-shəl adjective
II. adjective
Date: 1664
: serving or helping to constitute : constituent
component parts