COMPONENT


Meaning of COMPONENT in English

I. kəmˈpōnənt, ˈkämˌp-, kämˈp- noun

( -s )

Etymology: Latin component-, componens

1. : a constituent part : ingredient

the various components of an electric motor

the essential components of Kantian philosophy

2. physics : any one of the vector terms added to form a given vector sum or resultant

3. : an ingredient of a chemical system the concentration of which in the different phases is capable of independent variation

copper and zinc are the components of brass

— see phase rule

4. : either of the sequences defining an alphabet in cryptography — see alphabet 1j

5. : the smallest unit of classification in the Midwestern system for American archaeology constituting a single complex of traits found in one site or level — see focus ; compare aspect , pattern , phase

Synonyms: see element

II. adjective

Etymology: Latin component-, componens, present participle of componere to put together — more at compound

: serving or helping to constitute : constituent

component parts

component elements

two component republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics — Vera M. Dean

III. noun

: a coordinate of a vector ; also : either member of an ordered pair of numbers

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.