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