1
a
: any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe
b
elements plural
: weather conditions
especially
: violent or severe weather
c
: the state or sphere natural or suited to a person or thing
at school she was in her element
2
: a constituent part: such as
a
elements plural
: the simplest principles of a subject of study : rudiments
b(1)
: a part of a geometric magnitude
an infinitesimal element 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
: a distinct group within a larger group or community
the criminal element 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 the 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
elements plural
: the bread and wine used in the Eucharist
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for element
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.
the ingredients of a cocktail
Example Sentences
Water is composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen.
a free press is an essential element of a democracy
Recent Examples on the Web
What are those elements?
—
Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2023
This energy-mass relationship is low-hanging fruit, but other elements of a universal theory may not be so recognizable.
—Shi En Kim, Scientific American, 6 Apr. 2023
The first element of a successful formula for No. 12, of course, is to keep the ball out of Rae’s Creek.
—Alan Blinder Doug Mills Chris O’riley, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2023
The element that brings this all together is garnish.
—Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2023
What were the elements that made Linkin Park?
—Vulture, 3 Apr. 2023
Those elements are front and center in the full-length trailer, which opens with Fury’s return to Earth after a long absence.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Apr. 2023
Impressive as that power was, the most important element was Anthony DeSclafani’s return to his first-half 2021 form.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2023
Another important element is the battery design, which in the case of the Ioniq 6 is built into Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘element.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin elementum
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of element was
in the 13th century
Dictionary Entries Near element
Cite this Entry
“Element.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/element. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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11 Apr 2023
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This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
[ el—uh-muhnt ]
/ ˈɛl ə mənt /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
noun
a component or constituent of a whole or one of the parts into which a whole may be resolved by analysis: Bricks and mortar are elements of every masonry wall.
Chemistry. one of a class of substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.
a natural habitat, sphere of activity, environment, etc.: to be in one’s element;Water is the element of fish.
elements,
- atmospheric agencies or forces; weather: a ruddy complexion from exposure to the elements.
- the rudimentary principles of an art, science, etc.: the elements of grammar.
- the bread and wine of the Eucharistic service.
any group of people singled out within a larger group by identifiable behavior patterns, common interests, ethnic similarities, etc.: He worried that the protest rally would attract the radical element.
one of the substances, usually earth, water, air, and fire, formerly regarded as constituting the material universe.
Mathematics.
- an infinitesimal part of a given quantity, similar in nature to it.
- an entity that satisfies all the conditions of belonging to a given set.
Geometry. one of the points, lines, planes, or other geometrical forms, of which a figure is composed.
Astronomy. any of the data required to define the precise nature of an orbit and to determine the position of a planet in the orbit at any given time.
Electricity. an electric device with terminals for connection to other electrical devices.
Radio. one of the electrodes in a vacuum tube.
Astrology. any of the four triplicity groupings of signs: fire, earth, air, or water.
Optics. any of the lenses or other components constituting an optical system.
Grammar. any word, part of a word, or group of words that recurs in various contexts in a language with relatively constant meaning.
Digital Technology. the start and end tags in an electronic document or web page, along with the text or other content between these tags.See also tag1 (def. 9b).
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The word element actually has 15 definitions, it has meanings beyond science.
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Origin of element
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin elementum “one of the four elements, letter of the alphabet, first principle, rudiment”
synonym study for element
1, 2. Element, component, constituent, ingredient refer to units that are parts of whole or complete substances, systems, compounds, or mixtures. Element denotes a fundamental, ultimate part: the basic elements of matter; resolve the problem into its elements. Component and constituent refer to a part that goes into the making of a complete system or compound. Component often refers to one of a number of parts: Lab work is an important component of the science course. Constituent suggests a necessary part of the whole: The constituents of a molecule of water are two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Ingredient is most frequently used in nonscientific contexts: the ingredients of a cake; the ingredients of a successful marriage.
OTHER WORDS FROM element
in·ter·el·e·ment, adjective, nounsub·el·e·ment, noun
Words nearby element
Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, Eleia, elektra, Elektrostal, elem., element, element 113, element 114, element 115, element 116, element 117
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
MORE ABOUT ELEMENT
What is a basic definition of element?
An element is a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances through chemistry. An element is also an important component of something or a natural habitat. Element has many other senses as a noun.
In chemistry, an element is something that cannot be broken down any further. If you have taken a chemistry class, you’ve likely seen the periodic table, which displays all the known chemical elements. The study and measuring of elements is one of the central focuses of the scientific field of chemistry. For example, water (H2O) is made of the elements hydrogen and oxygen. We can split water into hydrogen and oxygen, but we cannot use chemistry to split oxygen or hydrogen into anything else.
- Real-life examples: The substances we know as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, and gold are examples of elements.
- Used in a sentence: Ammonia is made of the elements nitrogen and hydrogen.
Outside of science, an element is a main component or ingredient of something, as bricks would be for a brick wall, for example. The words elemental and elementary are sometimes used in a similar sense to describe things that are the simplest principles or basic components of something.
- Real-life examples: Peanut butter, jelly, and bread are the elements of a PB&J sandwich. Cement and water are elements of concrete. Tires, brakes, and an engine are elements of a functioning vehicle.
- Used in a sentence: Love and trust are elements of a strong relationship.
An element can also be a place where someone or something feels comfortable or naturally wants to be. In terms of people, we say a person is “in their element” when they are doing something they are really good at or in a situation that they really enjoy.
- Real-life examples: A kitchen is the element of a professional chef. A surfer is in their element at a beach with a lot of big waves. The rainforest is the element of jaguars.
- Used in a sentence: The supermodel was in his element while posing for pictures during the movie premiere.
Where does element come from?
The first records of element come from around 1250. It ultimately comes from the Latin elementum, meaning “one of the four elements” or “rudiment.”
In early history, it was thought that all of creation was made of four basic things: earth, air, fire, and water. The word elementum referred to these substances.
Today, we know that creation is actually more complicated, but we sometimes still use the word element to refer to these substances, particularly in fantasy stories and other works of fiction.
Did you know … ?
How is element used in real life?
Element is a word often used in reference to chemistry or a main component of something.
Correction: Contrary to popular belief, sleeping on your periodic table will NOT help you memorize the elements.
— taylsiee (@taylsie) October 6, 2011
The Southern Gas Corridor project is one of the main elements of the energy strategy that contributes to the diversification of Azerbaijan’s economy.
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) February 16, 2018
Hugh Jackman is best known for the X-Men movies, but he was really in his element in Les Miserables
— tracy (@TracyAdobea) June 29, 2020
Try using element!
True or False?
In chemistry, an element is a substance that cannot be further separated into simpler parts.
Words related to element
aspect, bit, component, detail, factor, fundamental, ingredient, item, material, matter, member, part, piece, principle, view, basic, basis, constituent, drop, facet
How to use element in a sentence
-
Also spending on other, and different, elements of the campaign.
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Only the Soviet Union has successfully landed on the Venusian surface—its Venera 13 lander functioned for 127 minutes before succumbing to the elements in 1982.
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It’s ubiquitous in the nation, so it’s easy to see how it could become a hugely disruptive element in the search landscape.
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To do this, the team analyzed isotopes — different forms of an element — of carbon and nitrogen in the diamonds, as well as isotopes of oxygen in the inclusions.
-
Here’s a comprehensive guide that looks into all the elements that you can capture to win your spot in Google’s top SERP real estate.
-
Very bass-y house, if I was in my element and playing what I like to play.
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It may now be time for RSD to address the violent element within his own organization.
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Anne Marie was in her element, jabbering away in heavily accented Liberian English, the center of attention.
-
The public cheered Holmes when she broke away from Cruise with a similar element of challenge and ingenuity.
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Regrow limbs, cure cancer, or rock a killer outfit à la Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element.
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And now there was added to this devotion an element of indefinable anxiety which made its vigilance unceasing.
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That he might lose his head and ‘introduce an element of sex’ was conscience confessing that it had been already introduced.
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This element of symbolic indication will be found to run through the whole of childish drawing.
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At once dignified, solemn, and impressive, it combined every element of grandeur.
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His good sense showed him how large an element of injustice entered into these hostilities.
British Dictionary definitions for element
noun
any of the 118 known substances (of which 93 occur naturally) that consist of atoms with the same number of protons in their nucleiCompare compound 1 (def. 1)
one of the fundamental or irreducible components making up a whole
a cause that contributes to a result; factor
any group that is part of a larger unit, such as a military formation
a small amount; hintan element of sarcasm in her voice
a distinguishable section of a social grouphe belonged to the stable element in the expedition
the most favourable environment for an animal or plant
the situation in which a person is happiest or most effective (esp in the phrases in or out of one’s element)
the resistance wire and its former, which constitute the electrical heater in a cooker, heater, etc
one of the four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the universe (earth, air, water, or fire)
(plural) atmospheric conditions or forces, esp wind, rain, and coldexposed to the elements
(plural) the first principles of a subject
geometry a point, line, plane, or part of a geometric figure
maths
- any of the terms in a determinant or matrix
- one of the infinitesimally small quantities summed by an integral, often represented by the expression following the integral signin ʃ b a f( x) d x, f( x )d x is an element of area
maths logic one of the objects or numbers that together constitute a set
Christianity the bread or wine consecrated in the Eucharist
astronomy any of the numerical quantities, such as the major axis or eccentricity, used in describing the orbit of a planet, satellite, etc
one of the vertical or horizontal rods forming a television or VHF radio receiving aerial
physics a component of a compound lens
Word Origin for element
C13: from Latin elementum a first principle, alphabet, element, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for element
A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. An element is composed of atoms that have the same atomic number, that is, each atom has the same number of protons in its nucleus as all other atoms of that element. Today 117 elements are known, of which 92 are known to occur in nature, while the remainder have only been made with particle accelerators. Eighty-one of the elements have isotopes that are stable. The others, including technetium, promethium, and those with atomic numbers higher than 83, are radioactive. See Periodic Table.
Mathematics A member of a set.
Word History
When Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev devised the Periodic Table in 1869, there were 63 known elements, which he classified by atomic weight, and arranged a table listing them with vertical rows corresponding to shared chemical characteristics. Gaps in the table suggested the possibility of elements not yet discovered, and indeed elements were later discovered, or in some cases, artificially created, that filled the gaps and had the expected chemical properties. The striking correlation between the atomic weight of an element and its chemical properties was later explained by quantum mechanical theories of the atom. The weight of an atom of any given element depends on the number of protons (and neutrons) in its nucleus, but the number of protons also determines the number and arrangement of electrons that can orbit the nucleus, and it is these outer shells of electrons that largely determine the element’s chemical properties.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for element
In chemistry, any material (such as carbon, hydrogen, iron, or oxygen) that cannot be broken down into more fundamental substances. Each chemical element has a specific type of atom, and chemical compounds are created when atoms of different elements are bound together into molecules. There are 119 chemical elements whose discovery has been claimed; 92 occur in nature, and the rest have been produced in laboratories.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with element
see brave the elements; in one’s element.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English element, from Old French element, from Latin elementum (“a first principle, element, rudiment”) (see further etymology there).
Pronunciation[edit]
- enPR: ĕl’ĭmənt, IPA(key): /ˈɛlɪmənt/
- Hyphenation: el‧e‧ment
Noun[edit]
element (plural elements)
- One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.
-
Letters are the elements of written language.
- 1881, Benjamin Jowett, Thucydides
- The simplicity which is so large an element in a noble nature was laughed to scorn.
- (chemistry) Any one of the simplest chemical substances that cannot be decomposed in a chemical reaction or by any chemical means and made up of atoms all having the same number of protons.
- Synonyms: chemical element, (rare, nonstandard) firststuff
- One of the four basic building blocks of matter in theories of ancient philosophers and alchemists: water, earth, fire, and air.
- (usually in the plural) A basic, simple substance out of which something is made, raw material.
-
c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], part 1, 2nd edition, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:
-
Thus ſhall my heart be ſtil combinde with thine,
Untill our bodies turne to Elements:
And both our ſoules aſpire celeſtiall thrones.
-
-
- (law) A required aspect or component of a cause of action. A deed is regarded as a violation of law only if each element can be proved.
- (set theory) One of the objects in a set.
- Synonym: member
- (mathematics) One of the entries of a matrix.
- Any of the teeth of a zip fastener.
-
- A small part of the whole.
-
an element of the picture
-
- A small but present amount of a quality, a hint.
-
an element of doubt
-
1927, F. E. Penny, chapter 4, in Pulling the Strings:
-
The case was that of a murder. It had an element of mystery about it, however, which was puzzling the authorities. A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff.
-
-
- A factor, one of the conditions contributing to a result.
- (obsolete) The sky.
-
1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter LXIX”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; […], →OCLC:
-
Sometimes, solitude is of all things my wish; and the awful silence of the night, the spangled element, and the rising and setting sun, how promotive of contemplation!
-
-
- (obsolete) Any one of the heavenly spheres believed to carry the celestial bodies.
- (in the plural only, with «the») Atmospheric forces such as strong winds and rains.
-
exposed to the elements
-
- A place or state of being that an individual or object is best suited to.
-
to be in one’s element
-
- (Christianity, usually in the plural) The bread and wine taken at Holy Communion.
- A group of people within a larger group having a particular common characteristic.
-
You sometimes find the hooligan element at football matches.
-
- (in the plural only) The basic principles of a field of knowledge, basics, fundamentals, rudiments.
- A component in electrical equipment, often in the form of a coil, having a high resistance, thereby generating heat when a current is passed through it.
-
The element in this electric kettle can heat the water in under a minute.
-
- (mathematics) An infinitesimal interval of a quantity, a differential.
-
The element of area in Cartesian coordinates is dx dy.
-
- (astronomy) An orbital element; one of the parameters needed to uniquely specify a particular orbit.
- (computing) One of the conceptual objects in a markup language, usually represented in text by tags.
-
2011, Richard Wagner, Creating Web Pages All-in-One For Dummies:
-
The div element was introduced into HTML as a solution to the layout problem.
-
-
Hyponyms[edit]
- chemical element
- data element
- heating element
Derived terms[edit]
- alloying element
- block level element
- diagonal element
- driven element
- element of surprise
- endogenous viral element
- finite element
- generalized element
- generic element
- global element
- identity element
- in one’s element
- integral element
- logical mechanical element
- lumped-element model
- main group element
- major element
- mobile genetic element
- native element
- out of one’s element
- parasitic element
- primitive element
- rare earth element
- rare-earth element
- regular element
- representative element
- sentence element
- sieve-tube element
- single-element
- sub-element
- systematic element name
- tipping element
- trace element
- transition element
- transuranium element
- vessel element
[edit]
- elemental
- elementary
Translations[edit]
simplest or essential part or principle of anything
- Albanian: element (sq) m
- Arabic: عُنْصُر m (ʕunṣur)
- Armenian: հիմունք (hy) (himunkʿ)
- Azerbaijani: ünsür, element
- Belarusian: элеме́нт m (eljemjént)
- Bengali: ধাতু (bn) (dhatu)
- Breton: elfenn (br) f
- Bulgarian: елеме́нт (bg) m (elemént)
- Burmese: ဓါတ် (dhat), ဒြပ်စင် (my) (drapcang)
- Catalan: element (ca) m
- Chinese:
- Mandarin: 要素 (zh) (yàosù)
- Cornish: elven f
- Czech: prvek (cs) m, element (cs) m
- Danish: element n
- Dutch: element (nl) n
- Esperanto: elemento (eo)
- Estonian: element (et)
- Finnish: perusosa (fi)
- French: élément (fr) m
- Galician: elemento (gl) m
- Georgian: ელემენტი (ka) (elemenṭi)
- German: Element (de) n
- Greek: ουσία (el) f (ousía), στοιχείο (el) n (stoicheío)
- Ancient: στοιχεῖον n (stoikheîon)
- Hebrew: עיקר עִקָּר (he) m (ikár), יְסוֹד (he) m (yesód)
- Hindi: तत्त्व m (tattva)
- Hungarian: elem (hu), alkotóelem (hu), összetevő (hu), alkatrész (hu)
- Irish: dúil f, uraiceacht m
- Italian: elemento (it) m
- Japanese: 要素 (ja) (ようそ, yōso)
- Kazakh: элемент (élement)
- Khmer: ធាតុ (km) (thiət)
- Korean: 요소(要素) (ko) (yoso)
- Kyrgyz: элемент (ky) (element)
- Lao: ທາດ (thāt)
- Latin: elementum (la) n
- Latvian: elements m
- Lithuanian: elementas (lt) m
- Macedonian: елемент m (element)
- Malay: unsur (ms)
- Maori: pūmotu (mi)
- Middle Persian: [script needed] (zʾhk’ /zāhag/), [script needed] (lstk’ /rastag/), [script needed] (ʾmycšn’ /āmēzišn/)
- Mongolian: элемент (element)
- Navajo: áʼádaatʼéhígíí
- Norwegian:
- Bokmål: element (no) n
- Occitan: element (oc) m
- Pali: dhātu
- Pashto: توکی (ps) m (tukáy), عنصر (ps) m (ansór)
- Persian: عنصر (fa) (‘onsor), آخشیج (fa) (âxšij)
- Polish: pierwiastek (pl) m, element (pl)
- Portuguese: fundamento (pt) m, fundamento (pt) m
- Romanian: element (ro) n, elemente n pl
- Russian: элеме́нт (ru) m (elemént), звено́ (ru) n (zvenó), составна́я часть (ru) f (sostavnája častʹ)
- Sanskrit: धातु (sa) m (dhātu)
- Serbo-Croatian:
- Cyrillic: елемент m
- Roman: element (sh) m
- Slovak: prvok (sk) m, element (sk) m
- Slovene: element m
- Spanish: elemento (es) m
- Swahili: elementi (sw)
- Swedish: element (sv)
- Tagalog: elemento (tl), bahagi (tl) (literally «part»)
- Tajik: элемент (tg) (element), унсур (tg) (unsur)
- Thai: ธาตุ (th) (tâat)
- Turkish: öğe (tr), eleman (tr), unsur (tr)
- Turkmen: element
- Ukrainian: елеме́нт (uk) m (elemént)
- Urdu: عنصر (ur) (‘unsur)
- Uyghur: ئۇنسۇر (unsur), ئېلېمېنت (ëlëmënt)
- Uzbek: element (uz), unsur (uz)
- Vietnamese: yếu tố (vi) (要素)
- Welsh: elfen (cy) f
- Yiddish: עלעמענט (element)
chemistry: simplest chemical substance
- Arabic: عُنْصُر كِيمِيَائِيّ m (ʕunṣur kīmiyāʔiyy), عُنْصُر m (ʕunṣur)
- Armenian: տարր (hy) (tarr)
- Assamese: মৌল (moul)
- Bengali: মৌল (bn) (mōul)
- Bihari: तत्व
- Bulgarian: елеме́нт (bg) m (elemént)
- Catalan: element (ca) m
- Chinese:
- Mandarin: 元素 (zh) (yuánsù)
- Czech: prvek (cs) m
- Danish: grundstof (da) n
- Dutch: element (nl) n
- Finnish: alkuaine (fi)
- French: élément (fr) m
- Galician: elemento (gl) m
- Georgian: ელემენტი (ka) (elemenṭi)
- German: Element (de) n
- Greek: στοιχείο (el) n (stoicheío)
- Gujarati: તત્વ (tatva)
- Hebrew: יְסוֹד (he) m (yesód)
- Hindi: तत्व (hi) m (tatva)
- Hungarian: elem (hu), vegyi elem, kémiai elem
- Irish: dúil f
- Italian: elemento (it) m
- Japanese: 元素 (ja) (げんそ, genso)
- Kalmyk: махбуд (mahbud)
- Korean: 원소(元素) (ko) (wonso)
- Latin: elementum (la) n
- Latvian: elements m
- Lithuanian: elementas (lt) m
- Malay: unsur (ms)
- Malayalam: മൂലകം (ml) (mūlakaṃ)
- Maori: pūmotu (mi)
- Marathi: मूलद्रव्य (mūladravya)
- Navajo: áʼádaatʼéhígíí
- Nepali: तत्व (tatwa)
- Newar: तत्त्व (tattwa)
- Norwegian:
- Bokmål: grunnstoff (no) n
- Nynorsk: grunnstoff n
- Occitan: element (oc) m
- Oriya: ମୌଳିକ (or) (môuḷikô)
- Persian: عنصر (fa) (‘onsor), آخشیج (fa) (âxšij)
- Polish: pierwiastek (pl) m
- Portuguese: elemento (pt) m
- Punjabi: ਤੱਤ (pa) (tatta)
- Romanian: element (ro) n
- Russian: элеме́нт (ru) m (elemént)
- Scottish Gaelic: dùil f
- Spanish: elemento (es) m
- Swahili: elementi (sw)
- Swedish: grundämne (sv) n
- Tagalog: elemento (tl)
- Telugu: మూలకము (te) (mūlakamu)
- Thai: ธาตุ (th) (tâat)
- Turkish: element (tr)
- Ukrainian: елеме́нт (uk) m (elemént), пе́рвень m (pérvenʹ) (literary)
- Vietnamese: nguyên tố (vi) (元素 (vi))
alchemy: one of the four basic building blocks
- Bulgarian: стихи́я (bg) f (stihíja)
- Burmese: ဓာတ် (my) (dhat)
- Chinese:
- Mandarin: 元素 (zh) (yuánsù)
- Czech: živel (cs) m
- Dutch: element (nl) n
- Finnish: alkuaine (fi), klassinen alkuaine, elementti (fi)
- Georgian: ელემენტი (ka) (elemenṭi)
- German: Element (de) n
- Greek: στοιχείο (el) n (stoicheío)
- Ancient: στοιχεῖον n (stoikheîon)
- Hungarian: elem (hu)
- Irish: dúil f
- Italian: elemento (it) m
- Japanese: 元素 (ja) (げんそ, genso)
- Latin: elementum (la) n
- Navajo: áʼádaatʼéhígíí
- Occitan: element (oc) m
- Persian: آخشیج (fa) (âxšij)
- Polish: żywioł (pl) m
- Portuguese: elemento (pt) m
- Romanian: element (ro) n
- Russian: элеме́нт (ru) m (elemént), стихи́я (ru) f (stixíja)
- Swahili: elementi (sw)
- Swedish: element (sv) n
- Tagalog: elemento (tl)
- Thai: ธาตุ (th) (tâat)
- Turkish: element (tr)
- Ukrainian: стихі́я f (styxíja)
something small
- Dutch: element (nl) n, fractie (nl)
- Finnish: häivähdys (fi), aavistus (fi), varjo (fi), siemen (fi)
- Hebrew: שביב (he) m (shvív)
- Hungarian: részlet (hu), darab (hu), részecske (hu), csepp (hu), morzsányi, szemernyi
- Italian: elemento (it) m
- Maori: huānga
- Occitan: element (oc) m
- Polish: odrobina (pl) f
- Portuguese: resquício (pt) m, vestígio (pt) m
- Romanian: particulă (ro) n, părticică f, element (ro) n
- Russian: элеме́нт (ru) m (elemént), крупи́ца (ru) f (krupíca)
- Swahili: elementi (sw)
a factor, one of the conditions contributing to a result — see factor
atmospheric forces
- Armenian: տարերք (hy) (tarerkʿ)
- Bulgarian: стихия (bg) f (stihija)
- Czech: živly m pl
- Danish: element n, elementer pl (usually plural)
- Finnish: luonnonvoimat pl
- French: élément (fr) m
- Georgian: ელემენტი (ka) (elemenṭi)
- Greek: στοιχεία (el) n pl (stoicheía)
- Hungarian: elemek (hu) pl, időjárás (hu)
- Irish: dúile f pl
- Italian: elemento (it) m, elementi (it) m pl
- Portuguese: intempérie (pt) f
- Russian: стихи́я (ru) f (stixíja)
- Spanish: elemento (es) m
- Swedish: element (sv) n
- Ukrainian: стихі́я f (styxíja)
set theory: object in a set
- Bulgarian: елемент (bg) m (element)
- Chinese:
- Mandarin: 元素 (zh) (yuánsù)
- Czech: prvek (cs) m
- Danish: element n
- Dutch: element (nl) n
- Finnish: alkio (fi)
- French: membre (fr) m, point (fr) m
- Georgian: ელემენტი (ka) (elemenṭi)
- German: Element (de) n
- Hebrew: איבר (he) m (eivár)
- Hungarian: elem (hu)
- Icelandic: stak n, íbúi (is) m
- Italian: elemento (it) m
- Japanese: 元 (ja) (げん, gen), 要素 (ja) (ようそ, yōso)
- Maori: huānga
- Polish: element (pl) m
- Portuguese: elemento (pt) m
- Romanian: element (ro) n
- Russian: элеме́нт (ru) m (elemént)
- Spanish: elemento (es) m
- Swahili: elementi (sw)
- Swedish: element (sv) n
- Tagalog: elemento (tl)
- Thai: สมาชิก (th) (sà-maa-chík)
heating element
- Danish: element n
- Dutch: element (nl) n
- Finnish: vastus (fi)
- Georgian: ელემენტი (ka) (elemenṭi)
- German: Bauelement (de) n
- Hebrew: גוף חימום m (gúf khimúm)
- Hungarian: fűtőszál
- Irish: eilimint f
- Italian: elemento (it) m
- Maori: tārahu, pātunu
- Polish: element (pl) m
- Portuguese: resistência (pt) f
- Romanian: element (ro) n
- Russian: элеме́нт (ru) m (elemént)
- Swahili: elementi (sw)
- Swedish: element (sv) n
See also[edit]
- atom
Verb[edit]
element (third-person singular simple present elements, present participle elementing, simple past and past participle elemented)
- (obsolete) To compound of elements.
- 1633, John Donne, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning
- those things which elemented [love]
- 1661, Robert Boyle, The Sceptical Chymist:
- elemented bodies
- 1681, Maunyngham, Disc., page 89:
- thou art elemented and organed
- 1633, John Donne, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning
- (obsolete) To constitute and be the elements of.
- 1658, Izaak Walton, Life of Donne:
- His very soul was elemented of nothing but sadness.
- 1658, Izaak Walton, Life of Donne:
[edit]
- transelement
References[edit]
- Lehmann, R.G. (2011). «27-30-22-26 — How many letters needs an alphabet?». In de Voogt, A.; Quack, J.F. The Idea of Writing: Writing Across Borders. Brill. pp. 15–16, note 8.
Further reading[edit]
- element in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- “element”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
Anagrams[edit]
- leetmen
Catalan[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Latin elementum.
Pronunciation[edit]
- (Balearic) IPA(key): /ə.ləˈment/
- (Central) IPA(key): /ə.ləˈmen/
- (Valencian) IPA(key): /e.leˈment/
Noun[edit]
element m (plural elements)
- element (clarification of this definition is needed)
Derived terms[edit]
- elemental
- element químic
Further reading[edit]
- “element” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.
- “element”, in Gran Diccionari de la Llengua Catalana, Grup Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2023
- “element” in Diccionari normatiu valencià, Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua.
- “element” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962.
Crimean Tatar[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Latin elementum.
Noun[edit]
element
- element.
Declension[edit]
Declension of element
| nominative | element |
|---|---|
| genitive | elementniñ |
| dative | elementke |
| accusative | elementni |
| locative | elementte |
| ablative | elementten |
References[edit]
- Mirjejev, V. A.; Usejinov, S. M. (2002) Ukrajinsʹko-krymsʹkotatarsʹkyj slovnyk [Ukrainian – Crimean Tatar Dictionary][1], Simferopol: Dolya, →ISBN
Danish[edit]
Noun[edit]
element n (singular definite elementet, plural indefinite elementer)
- (set theory) element
Declension[edit]
References[edit]
- “element” in Den Danske Ordbog
Dutch[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle Dutch element, from Old French element, from Latin elementum (“a first principle, element, rudiment”), of uncertain origin (see further etymology there).
Pronunciation[edit]
- IPA(key): /ˌeː.ləˈmɛnt/
- Hyphenation: ele‧ment
- Rhymes: -ɛnt
Noun[edit]
element n (plural elementen, diminutive elementje n)
- element
- (chemistry) element
- (set theory) element
Derived terms[edit]
- elementair
Descendants[edit]
- → Indonesian: elemen
Anagrams[edit]
- leemten
Norwegian Bokmål[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Latin elementum.
Noun[edit]
element n (definite singular elementet, indefinite plural element or elementer, definite plural elementa or elementene)
- an element
References[edit]
- “element” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
Norwegian Nynorsk[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Latin elementum.
Noun[edit]
element n (definite singular elementet, indefinite plural element, definite plural elementa)
- an element
References[edit]
- “element” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.
Polish[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Borrowed from Latin elementum.
Pronunciation[edit]
- IPA(key): /ɛˈlɛ.mɛnt/
- Rhymes: -ɛmɛnt
- Syllabification: e‧le‧ment
Noun[edit]
element m inan
- element (component, piece of a larger whole)
- (derogatory) element (group of people)
-
Wieczorami w knajpie zbierał się podejrzany element.
- In the evenings, a suspicious element congregated in the pub.
-
Declension[edit]
Further reading[edit]
- element in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
- element in Polish dictionaries at PWN
Romanian[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From French élément, from Latin elementum.
Noun[edit]
element n (plural elemente)
- element
Declension[edit]
Serbo-Croatian[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- (Bosnian, Serbian): elèmenat
Pronunciation[edit]
- IPA(key): /elěment/
- Hyphenation: e‧le‧ment
Noun[edit]
elèment m (Cyrillic spelling елѐмент)
- element
Declension[edit]
Swedish[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
element n
- element; basic building block of matter in ancient philosophy
- element; a place or state of being that an individual or object is better suited towards
- elements; forces of weather
- element; an object in a set
- (mathematics) element of a matrix
- heating element, radiator
- (computing) element; object in markup language
Declension[edit]
| Declension of element | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Plural | |||
| Indefinite | Definite | Indefinite | Definite | |
| Nominative | element | elementet | element | elementen |
| Genitive | elements | elementets | elements | elementens |
[edit]
- elementär
- elementa
- elementar-
Turkish[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Latin elementum. Doublet of eleman.
Pronunciation[edit]
- IPA(key): /eleˈmænt/
- Hyphenation: e‧le‧ment
Noun[edit]
element (definite accusative elementi, plural elementler)
- (chemistry) element
Declension[edit]
| Inflection | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | element | |
| Definite accusative | elementi | |
| Singular | Plural | |
| Nominative | element | elementler |
| Definite accusative | elementi | elementleri |
| Dative | elemente | elementlere |
| Locative | elementte | elementlerde |
| Ablative | elementten | elementlerden |
| Genitive | elementin | elementlerin |
el·e·ment
(ĕl′ə-mənt)
n.
1. A fundamental, essential, or irreducible constituent of a composite entity.
2. elements The basic assumptions or principles of a subject.
3. Mathematics
a. A member of a set.
b. A point, line, or plane.
c. A part of a geometric configuration, such as an angle in a triangle.
d. The generatrix of a geometric figure.
e. Any of the terms in the rectangular array of terms that constitute a matrix or determinant.
4. Chemistry & Physics A substance composed of atoms having an identical number of protons in each nucleus. Elements cannot be reduced to simpler substances by normal chemical means. See Periodic Table (pages 131X-131X).
5. One of four substances, earth, air, fire, or water, formerly regarded as a fundamental constituent of the universe.
6. Electricity The resistance wire in an electrical appliance such as a heater or an oven.
7. elements The forces that constitute the weather, especially severe or inclement weather: outside paint that had been damaged by the elements.
8. An environment naturally suited to or associated with an individual: He is in his element when traveling. The business world is her element.
9. A distinct group within a larger community: the dissident element on campus.
10. A part of a military force, especially:
a. A ground unit in an air force comparable to a platoon.
b. A unit of an air force equal to two or three aircraft.
11. elements The bread and wine of the Eucharist.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin elementum, perhaps ultimately from lmn, first three letters of the second half of the Canaanite alphabet, recited by ancient scribes when learning it.]
Synonyms: element, component, constituent, factor, ingredient
These nouns denote one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up: the grammatical elements of a sentence; real estate as a component of wealth; a protein that is a constituent of a virus; analyzed the factors that led to the accident; a cake made of flour, eggs, and other ingredients.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
element
(ˈɛlɪmənt)
n
1. (Elements & Compounds) any of the 118 known substances (of which 93 occur naturally) that consist of atoms with the same number of protons in their nuclei. Compare compound11
2. one of the fundamental or irreducible components making up a whole
3. a cause that contributes to a result; factor
4. any group that is part of a larger unit, such as a military formation
5. a small amount; hint: an element of sarcasm in her voice.
6. a distinguishable section of a social group: he belonged to the stable element in the expedition.
7. (Biology) the most favourable environment for an animal or plant
8. the situation in which a person is happiest or most effective (esp in the phrases in or out of one’s element)
9. (Electrical Engineering) the resistance wire and its former, which constitute the electrical heater in a cooker, heater, etc
10. (Electronics) electronics another name for component2
11. (Philosophy) one of the four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the universe (earth, air, water, or fire)
12. (Physical Geography) (plural) atmospheric conditions or forces, esp wind, rain, and cold: exposed to the elements.
13. (plural) the first principles of a subject
14. (Mathematics) geometry a point, line, plane, or part of a geometric figure
15. (Mathematics) maths
a. any of the terms in a determinant or matrix
b. one of the infinitesimally small quantities summed by an integral, often represented by the expression following the integral sign: in ∫baf(x)dx, f(x)dx is an element of area.
16. (Mathematics) maths logic one of the objects or numbers that together constitute a set
17. (Ecclesiastical Terms) Christianity the bread or wine consecrated in the Eucharist
18. (Astronomy) astronomy any of the numerical quantities, such as the major axis or eccentricity, used in describing the orbit of a planet, satellite, etc
19. (Broadcasting) one of the vertical or horizontal rods forming a television or VHF radio receiving aerial
20. (General Physics) physics a component of a compound lens
[C13: from Latin elementum a first principle, alphabet, element, of uncertain origin]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
el•e•ment
art at electrum
(ˈɛl ə mənt)
n.
1. a component or constituent of a whole or one of the parts into which a whole may be resolved by analysis.
2. one of a class of substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.
3. a natural habitat, sphere of activity, or environment: to be in one’s element.
4. elements,
a. atmospheric forces; weather.
b. the rudimentary principles of an art or science.
c. the bread and wine of the Eucharistic service.
5. any group of people singled out, often with disapproval, as having identifiable behavior patterns, common goals, ethnic similarities, etc.: the radical element.
6. one of the substances, usu. earth, air, fire, and water, formerly regarded as constituting the material universe.
7. a component of a mechanical device: a printing element on a typewriter.
8. Math.
a. an infinitesimal part of a given quantity, similar in nature to it.
b. an entity that satisfies all the conditions of belonging to a given set.
9. one of the points, lines, planes, or other geometrical forms of which a figure is composed.
[1250–1300; < Latin elementum one of the four elements, letter of the alphabet, first principle, rudiment]
syn: element, component, constituent, ingredient refer to units that are parts of whole or complete substances, systems, compounds, or mixtures. element denotes a fundamental, ultimate part: elements of matter; elements of a problem. component refers to one of a number of separate parts: Iron and carbon are components of steel. constituent refers to an active and necessary part: The constituents of a molecule of water are two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. ingredient is most frequently used in nonscientific contexts to denote any part that is combined into a mixture: the ingredients of a cake; the ingredients of a successful marriage.
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
el·e·ment
(ĕl′ə-mənt)
1. A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. An element is composed of atoms that have the same atomic number; that is, each atom has the same number of protons in its nucleus as all other atoms of that element. Today 112 elements are known, of which 92 are known to occur in nature, while the remaining 20 have only been made with particle accelerators.
2. Mathematics A member of a set.
Word History The symbols that scientists use for the chemical elements are usually abbreviations of the elements’ names. Thus the symbol for hydrogen is H, and the symbol for oxygen is O, both from the first letter of the name. But if you look at the Periodic Table at Periodic Table, you’ll notice that some symbols are entirely different from the corresponding element names. The symbol for iron is Fe, and the symbol for tin is Sn, for example. Why is this? It happens that some elements were already known to the ancient Greeks and Romans, such as familiar metals like iron, copper, silver, gold, tin, and lead. For these elements scientists use abbreviations of the Greek and Latin words for them. The Latin words for the six metals listed above are ferrum, cuprum, argentum, aurum, stannum, and plumbum. From these names come, quite straightforwardly, the chemical symbols Fe, Cu, Ag, Au, Sn, and Pb.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
element
1. The elements represent general characteristics that are linked with certain zodiac signs. There are four elements: fire, air, earth and water.
2. One of four elements, Earth, Air, Fire or Water, believed to be particularly significant to magic ritual, for hundreds of years linked to other things (such as the planets and the signs of the zodiac), using a system of correspondences.
3. A substance which cannot be split into simpler substances using chemical methods
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  element — an abstract part of something; «jealousy was a component of his character»; «two constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmony»; «the grammatical elements of a sentence»; «a key factor in her success»; «humor: an effective ingredient of a speech»
component, factor, ingredient, constituent be all and end all, be-all and end-all — the essential factor; the all-important element; the supreme aim; «profit is the be-all and end-all of business» plot element — a component or element of the plot of a story point — a geometric element that has position but no extension; «a point is defined by its coordinates» division, section, part — one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole; «the written part of the exam»; «the finance section of the company»; «the BBC’s engineering division» |
| 2. | element — an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system; «spare components for cars»; «a component or constituent element of a system»
constituent, component accessory, add-on, appurtenance, supplement — a supplementary component that improves capability addition, add-on, improver — a component that is added to something to improve it; «the addition of a bathroom was a major improvement»; «the addition of cinnamon improved the flavor» audio — the sound elements of television auto part, car part — a component of an automobile; «his business is auto parts» crystal — a crystalline element used as a component in various electronic devices computer hardware, hardware — (computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system heating element — the component of a heater or range that transforms fuel or electricity into heat ingredient — a component of a mixture or compound input — a component of production; something that goes into the production of output landside — component consisting of a side piece opposite the moldboard making — (usually plural) the components needed for making or doing something; «the recipe listed all the makings for a chocolate cake» module — a self-contained component (unit or item) that is used in combination with other components part, portion — something less than the whole of a human artifact; «the rear part of the house»; «glue the two parts together» pel, picture element, pixel — (computer science) the smallest discrete component of an image or picture on a CRT screen (usually a colored dot); «the greater the number of pixels per inch the greater the resolution» retrofit — a component or accessory added to something after it has been manufactured spare, spare part — an extra component of a machine or other apparatus spark gap — a component of an ignition system; consists of two shaped electrodes and the space between them |
|
| 3. | element — any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
chemical element substance — the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists; «DNA is the substance of our genes» atom — (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element allotrope — a structurally different form of an element; «graphite and diamond are allotropes of carbon» transuranic element — any element having an atomic number greater than 92 (which is the atomic number of uranium); all are radioactive argonon, inert gas, noble gas — any of the chemically inert gaseous elements of the helium group in the periodic table metal, metallic element — any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc. nonmetal — a chemical element lacking typical metallic properties transactinide — any of the artificially produced elements with atomic numbers greater than 103 Ac, actinium, atomic number 89 — a radioactive element of the actinide series; found in uranium ores Ar, argon, atomic number 18 — a colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth’s atmosphere As, atomic number 33, arsenic — a very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms; arsenic and arsenic compounds are used as herbicides and insecticides and various alloys; found in arsenopyrite and orpiment and realgar astatine, At, atomic number 85 — a highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series); a decay product of uranium and thorium atomic number 107, Bh, bohrium, element 107 — a transuranic element atomic number 5, boron, B — a trivalent metalloid element; occurs both in a hard black crystal and in the form of a yellow or brown powder atomic number 35, Br, bromine — a nonmetallic heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens; found in sea water atomic number 6, carbon, C — an abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond; occurs in all organic compounds atomic number 17, chlorine, Cl — a common nonmetallic element belonging to the halogens; best known as a heavy yellow irritating toxic gas; used to purify water and as a bleaching agent and disinfectant; occurs naturally only as a salt (as in sea water) atomic number 110, darmstadtium, Ds, element 110 — a radioactive transuranic element atomic number 105, Db, dubnium, element 105, hahnium — a transuranic element atomic number 9, fluorine, F — a nonmetallic univalent element belonging to the halogens; usually a yellow irritating toxic flammable gas; a powerful oxidizing agent; recovered from fluorite or cryolite or fluorapatite atomic number 32, Ge, germanium — a brittle grey crystalline element that is a semiconducting metalloid (resembling silicon) used in transistors; occurs in germanite and argyrodite atomic number 108, element 108, hassium, Hs — a radioactive transuranic element atomic number 2, He, helium — a very light colorless element that is one of the six inert gasses; the most difficult gas to liquefy; occurs in economically extractable amounts in certain natural gases (as those found in Texas and Kansas) atomic number 1, H, hydrogen — a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe atomic number 53, I, iodin, iodine — a nonmetallic element belonging to the halogens; used especially in medicine and photography and in dyes; occurs naturally only in combination in small quantities (as in sea water or rocks) atomic number 36, Kr, krypton — a colorless element that is one of the six inert gasses; occurs in trace amounts in air atomic number 103, lawrencium, Lr — a radioactive transuranic element synthesized from californium atomic number 109, element 109, meitnerium, Mt — a radioactive transuranic element atomic number 101, Md, mendelevium, Mv — a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding einsteinium with alpha particles (Md is the current symbol for mendelevium but Mv was formerly the symbol) atomic number 10, Ne, neon — a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts atomic number 7, N, nitrogen — a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues |
|
| 4. | element — the most favorable environment for a plant or animal; «water is the element of fishes»
environs, surround, surroundings, environment — the area in which something exists or lives; «the country—the flat agricultural surround» |
|
| 5. | element — one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe; «the alchemists believed that there were four elements»
substance — the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists; «DNA is the substance of our genes» air — once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles) fire — once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles) earth — once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles) ether, quintessence — the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies water — once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles) |
|
| 6. | element — the situation in which you are happiest and most effective; «in your element»
situation, state of affairs — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time; «the present international situation is dangerous»; «wondered how such a state of affairs had come about»; «eternal truths will be neither true nor eternal unless they have fresh meaning for every new social situation»- Franklin D.Roosevelt |
|
| 7. | element — a straight line that generates a cylinder or cone
straight line — a line traced by a point traveling in a constant direction; a line of zero curvature; «the shortest distance between two points is a straight line» element of a cone — a straight line joining the apex and a point on the base element of a cylinder — a straight line running the length of the cylinder |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
element
noun
1. component, part, feature, unit, section, factor, principle, aspect, foundation, ingredient, constituent, subdivision one of the key elements of the UN’s peace plan
plural noun
1. weather conditions, climate, the weather, wind and rain, atmospheric conditions, powers of nature, atmospheric forces The area is exposed to the elements.
be in your element be in a situation you enjoy, be in your natural environment, be in familiar surroundings My stepmother was in her element, organizing everyone.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
element
noun
1. A fundamental irreducible constituent of a whole:
2. One of the individual entities contributing to a whole:
3. An individually considered portion of a whole:
The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
a structurally different form of an element
any element having an atomic number greater than 92 (which is the atomic number of uranium); all are radioactive
any of the chemically inert gaseous elements of the helium group in the periodic table
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
a chemical element lacking typical metallic properties
any of the artificially produced elements with atomic numbers greater than 103
a radioactive element of the actinide series; found in uranium ores
a colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth’s atmosphere
a very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms; arsenic and arsenic compounds are used as herbicides and insecticides and various alloys; found in arsenopyrite and orpiment and realgar
a highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series); a decay product of uranium and thorium
a transuranic element
a trivalent metalloid element; occurs both in a hard black crystal and in the form of a yellow or brown powder
a nonmetallic heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens; found in sea water
an abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond; occurs in all organic compounds
a common nonmetallic element belonging to the halogens; best known as a heavy yellow irritating toxic gas; used to purify water and as a bleaching agent and disinfectant; occurs naturally only as a salt (as in sea water)
a radioactive transuranic element
a transuranic element
a nonmetallic univalent element belonging to the halogens; usually a yellow irritating toxic flammable gas; a powerful oxidizing agent; recovered from fluorite or cryolite or fluorapatite
a brittle grey crystalline element that is a semiconducting metalloid (resembling silicon) used in transistors; occurs in germanite and argyrodite
a radioactive transuranic element
a very light colorless element that is one of the six inert gasses; the most difficult gas to liquefy; occurs in economically extractable amounts in certain natural gases (as those found in Texas and Kansas)
a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe
a nonmetallic element belonging to the halogens; used especially in medicine and photography and in dyes; occurs naturally only in combination in small quantities (as in sea water or rocks)
a colorless element that is one of the six inert gasses; occurs in trace amounts in air
a radioactive transuranic element synthesized from californium
a radioactive transuranic element
a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding einsteinium with alpha particles (Md is the current symbol for mendelevium but Mv was formerly the symbol)
a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues
a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth’s crust
a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms
a solid silvery grey radioactive transuranic element whose atoms can be split when bombarded with neutrons; found in minute quantities in uranium ores but is usually synthesized in nuclear reactors; 13 isotopes are known with the most important being plutonium 239
a radioactive gaseous element formed by the disintegration of radium; the heaviest of the inert gasses; occurs naturally (especially in areas over granite) and is considered a hazard to health
a radioactive transuranic element
a radioactive transuranic element which has been synthesized
a transuranic element
a toxic nonmetallic element related to sulfur and tellurium; occurs in several allotropic forms; a stable grey metallike allotrope conducts electricity better in the light than in the dark and is used in photocells; occurs in sulfide ores (as pyrite)
a tetravalent nonmetallic element; next to oxygen it is the most abundant element in the earth’s crust; occurs in clay and feldspar and granite and quartz and sand; used as a semiconductor in transistors
an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions)
a brittle silver-white metalloid element that is related to selenium and sulfur; it is used in alloys and as a semiconductor; occurs mainly as tellurides in ores of copper and nickel and silver and gold
a radioactive transuranic element
a radioactive transuranic element
a radioactive transuranic element
a radioactive transuranic element
a radioactive transuranic element
a colorless odorless inert gaseous element occurring in the earth’s atmosphere in trace amounts
an element that occurs at very small quantities in the body but is nonetheless important for many biological processes
a nonmetallic element that has some of the properties of metal
a radioactive isotope of hydrogen; atoms of tritium have three times the mass of ordinary hydrogen atoms
a metal of relatively high density (specific gravity greater than about 5) or of high relative atomic weight (especially one that is poisonous like mercury or lead)
a metal that is common and not considered precious
a form of carbon having a large molecule consisting of an empty cage of sixty or more carbon atoms
any metal that is resistant to corrosion or oxidation
a silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite
a radioactive transuranic metallic element; discovered by bombarding uranium with helium atoms
a metallic element having four allotropic forms; used in a wide variety of alloys; found in stibnite
a colorless and odorless inert gas; one of the six inert gases; comprises approximately 1% of the earth’s atmosphere
a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group; found in barite
a radioactive transuranic element; discovered by bombarding americium with helium
a light strong brittle grey toxic bivalent metallic element
a heavy brittle diamagnetic trivalent metallic element (resembles arsenic and antimony chemically); usually recovered as a by-product from ores of other metals
a soft bluish-white ductile malleable toxic bivalent metallic element; occurs in association with zinc ores
a white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light; the fifth most abundant element in the earth’s crust; an important component of most plants and animals
a radioactive transuranic element; discovered by bombarding curium with alpha particles
a radioactive isotope of carbon
a ductile grey metallic element of the lanthanide series; used in lighter flints; the most abundant of the rare-earth group
a soft silver-white ductile metallic element (liquid at normal temperatures); the most electropositive and alkaline metal
a radioactive isotope of chlorine
a hard brittle multivalent metallic element; resistant to corrosion and tarnishing
a hard ferromagnetic silver-white bivalent or trivalent metallic element; a trace element in plant and animal nutrition
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
a radioactive transuranic metallic element; produced by bombarding plutonium with helium nuclei
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; forms compounds that are highly magnetic
a radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
a bivalent and trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group
a radioactive transuranic metallic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
a radioactive element of the alkali-metal group discovered as a disintegration product of actinium
a ductile silvery-white ductile ferromagnetic trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group
a rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element; brittle at low temperatures but liquid above room temperature; occurs in trace amounts in bauxite and zinc ores
a grey tetravalent metallic element that resembles zirconium chemically and is found in zirconium minerals; used in filaments for its ready emission of electrons
a very light colorless element that is one of the six inert gasses; the most difficult gas to liquefy; occurs in economically extractable amounts in certain natural gases (as those found in Texas and Kansas)
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs together with yttrium; forms highly magnetic compounds
a rare soft silvery metallic element; occurs in small quantities in sphalerite
heavy radioactive isotope of iodine with a half-life of 8 days; used in a sodium salt to diagnose thyroid disease and to treat goiter
light radioactive isotope of iodine with a half-life of 60 days; used as a tracer in thyroid studies and as a treatment for hyperthyroidism
a heavy brittle metallic element of the platinum group; used in alloys; occurs in natural alloys with platinum or osmium
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
a colorless element that is one of the six inert gasses; occurs in trace amounts in air
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey
a soft silver-white univalent element of the alkali metal group; the lightest metal known; occurs in several minerals
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; usually occurs in association with yttrium
a light silver-white ductile bivalent metallic element; in pure form it burns with brilliant white flame; occurs naturally only in combination (as in magnesite and dolomite and carnallite and spinel and olivine)
a hard brittle grey polyvalent metallic element that resembles iron but is not magnetic; used in making steel; occurs in many minerals
a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures
a polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in its properties; used to strengthen and harden steel
a yellow trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs in monazite and bastnasite in association with cerium and lanthanum and praseodymium
a colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts
a radioactive transuranic metallic element; found in trace amounts in uranium ores; a by-product of the production of plutonium
a hard malleable ductile silvery metallic element that is resistant to corrosion; used in alloys; occurs in pentlandite and smaltite and garnierite and millerite
a soft grey ductile metallic element used in alloys; occurs in niobite; formerly called columbium
an obsolete name for nitrogen
a hard brittle blue-grey or blue-black metallic element that is one of the platinum metals; the heaviest metal known
a bluish translucent magnetic liquid obtained by compressing gaseous oxygen and then cooling it below its boiling point; used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants
a silver-white metallic element of the platinum group that resembles platinum; occurs in some copper and nickel ores; does not tarnish at ordinary temperatures and is used (alloyed with gold) in jewelry
a highly fissionable isotope of plutonium that is used in atomic weapons and as a reactor fuel; produced by irradiating uranium 238 with slow electrons
a radioactive metallic element that is similar to tellurium and bismuth; occurs in uranium ores but can be produced by bombarding bismuth with neutrons in a nuclear reactor
a light soft silver-white metallic element of the alkali metal group; oxidizes rapidly in air and reacts violently with water; is abundant in nature in combined forms occurring in sea water and in carnallite and kainite and sylvite
a soft yellowish-white trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; can be recovered from bastnasite or monazite by an ion-exchange process
a soft silvery metallic element of the rare earth group having no stable isotope; was discovered in radioactive form as a fission product of uranium
a short-lived radioactive metallic element formed from uranium and disintegrating into actinium and then into lead
an intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores
a radioactive gaseous element formed by the disintegration of radium; the heaviest of the inert gasses; occurs naturally (especially in areas over granite) and is considered a hazard to health
a rare heavy polyvalent metallic element that resembles manganese chemically and is used in some alloys; is obtained as a by-product in refining molybdenum
a white hard metallic element that is one of the platinum group and is found in platinum ores; used in alloys with platinum
a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali metal group; burns in air and reacts violently in water; occurs in carnallite and lepidolite and pollucite
a rare polyvalent metallic element of the platinum group; it is found associated with platinum
a grey lustrous metallic element of the rare earth group; is used in special alloys; occurs in monazite and bastnasite
a white trivalent metallic element; sometimes classified in the rare earth group; occurs in the Scandinavian mineral thortveitite
a silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group; occurs abundantly in natural compounds (especially in salt water); burns with a yellow flame and reacts violently in water; occurs in sea water and in the mineral halite (rock salt)
a soft silver-white or yellowish metallic element of the alkali metal group; turns yellow in air; occurs in celestite and strontianite
a hard grey lustrous metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion; occurs in niobite and fergusonite and tantalite
a crystalline metallic element not found in nature; occurs as one of the fission products of uranium
a metallic element of the rare earth group; used in lasers; occurs in apatite and monazite and xenotime and ytterbite
a soft grey malleable metallic element that resembles tin but discolors on exposure to air; it is highly toxic and is used in rodent and insect poisons; occurs in zinc blende and some iron ores
a soft silvery-white tetravalent radioactive metallic element; isotope 232 is used as a power source in nuclear reactors; occurs in thorite and in monazite sands
a soft silvery metallic element of the rare earth group; isotope 170 emits X-rays and is used in small portable X-ray machines; it occurs in monazite and apatite and xenotime
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
a heavy toxic silvery-white radioactive metallic element; occurs in many isotopes; used for nuclear fuels and nuclear weapons
a soft silvery white toxic metallic element used in steel alloys; it occurs in several complex minerals including carnotite and vanadinite
a colorless odorless inert gaseous element occurring in the earth’s atmosphere in trace amounts
a soft silvery metallic element; a rare earth of the lanthanide series; it occurs in gadolinite and monazite and xenotime
a silvery metallic element that is common in rare-earth minerals; used in magnesium and aluminum alloys
a bluish-white lustrous metallic element; brittle at ordinary temperatures but malleable when heated; used in a wide variety of alloys and in galvanizing iron; it occurs naturally as zinc sulphide in zinc blende
a lustrous grey strong metallic element resembling titanium; it is used in nuclear reactors as a neutron absorber; it occurs in baddeleyite but is obtained chiefly from zircon
a charred substance
a carbonaceous material obtained by heating wood or other organic matter in the absence of air
any of the monovalent metals of group I of the periodic table (lithium or sodium or potassium or rubidium or cesium or francium)
any of the bivalent metals of group II of the periodic table (calcium or strontium or barium or magnesium or beryllium)
an old name for sulfur
a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
powdered or granular carbon used for purifying by adsorption; given orally (as a slurry) it is an antidote for some kinds of poisons
used as a lubricant and as a moderator in nuclear reactors
very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
nitrogen in a liquid state