I. -nt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin ingredient-, ingrediens, present participle of ingredi to go into, enter, from in- in- (II) + -gredi (from gradi to step, go) — more at grade
1. : something that enters into a compound or is a component part of any combination or mixture : constituent
formula which will have just about the same ingredients as mother's milk — Morris Fishbein
fashionable books that one must read, because they are ingredients of the talk of the day — T.L.Peacock
understanding is one of the most important ingredients of a successful marriage — Grace Nagel
2. obsolete : something that moves into or penetrates
Synonyms: see element
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin ingredient-, ingrediens, present participle
1. obsolete : entering in : penetrating
2. : present as or forming an ingredient : component
can be used as an ingredient product in breads, pies, cakes — Shareholder
when a sequence of words has not yet congealed into phrase, while we can ask whether he knows how to use the ingredient words — Gilbert Ryle