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element

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
el·e·ment  (l-mnt)
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.
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; jealousy, a component of his character; melody and harmony, two of the constituents of a musical composition; ambition as a key factor in her success; humor, an effective ingredient of a speech.
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element

element [ˈɛlɪmənt]
n
1. (Chemistry / 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 compound1 [1]
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. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / 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. (Engineering / Electrical Engineering) the resistance wire and its former that constitute the electrical heater in a cooker, heater, etc.
10. (Electronics) Electronics another name for component [2]
11. (Philosophy) one of the four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the universe (earth, air, water, or fire)
12. (Earth Sciences / 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. (Christianity / 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. (Communication Arts / Broadcasting) one of the vertical or horizontal rods forming a television or VHF radio receiving aerial
20. (Physics / General Physics) Physics a component of a compound lens
[from Latin elementum a first principle, alphabet, element, of uncertain origin]

element  (l-mnt)
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 115 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.
2. Mathematics A member of a set.
Word History When Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev devised the Periodic Table in 1869, there were 63 known elements. Mendeleev classified the known elements 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. Currently, 115 distinct elements are known.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.elementelement - 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"
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"
accessory, add-on, appurtenance, supplement - a supplementary component that improves capability
add-on, addition, 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
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)
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

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
2. group, faction, clique, set, party, circle The government must weed out criminal elements from the security forces.
3. trace, suggestion, hint, dash, suspicion, tinge, smattering, soupçon There is an element of truth in his accusation.
plural noun
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.
Translations
element [ˈelɪmənt] N
1. (gen) (Chem) → elemento m (Elec) → resistencia f; (= factor) → factor m
an element of surpriseun elemento de sorpresa
an element of truthuna parte de verdad
it's the personal element that countses el factor personal el que cuenta
to be in one's elementestar en su elemento, estar como pez en el agua
to be out of one's elementestar fuera de su elemento
2. elements
2.1. (= rudiments) → elementos mpl, nociones fpl básicas
the elements of mathematicslas nociones básicas de las matemáticas
2.2. (= weather) open to the elementsa la intemperie
to brave the elementsarrostrar la tempestad; (= go out) → salir a la intemperie

element [ˈɛlɪmənt]
n
(= part) → élément m
(= aspect) → dimension f
(= factor) → élément m
an element in sth → un élément de qch
(= certain amount) → part f
The story contains an element of truth → L'histoire comporte une part de vérité.
(electrical) [heater, kettle] → résistance f
to be in one's element (= enjoying o.s.) → être dans son élément elements
npl
the elements (= weather) → les éléments
(= people) → éléments mpl
criminal elements
BUT criminels $.mpléléments mpl criminels

element
n (all senses) → Element nt; the elements of mathematicsdie Grundbegriffe plor Anfangsgründe pl (geh)der Mathematik; one of the key elements of the peace planeiner der grundlegenden Bestandteile des Friedensplans; an element of dangerein Gefahrenelement nt; the element of chancedas Zufallselement; an element of trutheine Spur or ein Element ntvon Wahrheit; the personal elementdas persönliche Element; a hooligan/criminal elementein paar Rowdys/Kriminelle; the (four) elementsdie (vier) Elemente; to be in one’s elementin seinem Element sein; to be out of one’s element (with group of people) → sich fehl am Platze fühlen; (with subject) → sich nicht auskennen

element [ˈɛlɪmənt] n (gen) → elemento; (of surprise, luck) → fattore m, componente f; (of heater, kettle) → resistenza
the elements (weather) → gli elementi
the elements of mathematics → i fondamenti della matematica
to be in one's element → essere nel proprio elemento or ambiente naturale
element [ˈɛlɪmənt] n (gen) → elemento; (of surprise, luck) → fattore m, componente f; (of heater, kettle) → resistenza
the elements (weather) → gli elementi
the elements of mathematics → i fondamenti della matematica
to be in one's element → essere nel proprio elemento or ambiente naturale

element
n element [ˈeləmənt]
1 an essential part of anything Sound teaching of grammar is one of the elements of a good education. elemente عُنْصُر، مُقَوِّم елемент základní součást element; led; del; komponent der Grundbestandteil στοιχείο elemento põhiosa اصل؛ مبنا perusedellytys élément יְסוֹד तत्व element (alkotó)elem unsur frumatriði, undirstöðuatriði elemento 要素 구성 요소 elementas, sudedamoji dalis elements; daļa elemen bestanddeel bestanddel, element element elemento element составная часть základná súčasť sestavni del elemenat grundvillkor, beståndsdel องค์ประกอบสำคัญ öğe, unsur 要素 елемент; складова частина کسی چیز کا اہم عنصر yếu tố
2 a substance that cannot be split by chemical means into simpler substances Hydrogen, chlorine, iron and uranium are elements. grondbestanddele عُنْصُر химичен елемент prvek grundstof das Element στοιχείο (χημικό) elemento algaine عنصر alkuaine corps simple יְסוֹד अवयव, किसी वस्तु का प्रमुख भाग element elem unsur frumefni elemento 元素 성분 elementas elements unsur element element, grunnstoff pierwiastek elemento ele­ment элемент prvok prvina elemenat grundämne ธาตุ element 元素 елемент وہ طبعی عنصر جسے کیمیائی عمل سے اجزا میں تقسیم نہیں کیا جا سکتا nguyên tố
3 surroundings necessary for life Water is a fish's natural element. omgewing عُنْصُر среда živel element das (Lebens-)Element περιβάλλον medio keskkond محیط مناسب؛ محیط طبیعی elinympäristö milieu סְבִיבָה טִבעִית चार तत्व पृथ्वी वायु जल एवं अग्नि okolina éltető eleme vminek, vkinek lingkungan eðlilegt umhverfi elemento 本来の環境 (생물의) 원래의 서식지 stichija stihija unsur element miljø, element żywioł ambiente mediu природные условия živel življenjsko okolje sredina element, miljö สภาพแวดล้อม doğal çevre, yaşam ortamı 必需的生存環境 природні умови جینے کے لۓ لازم ماحولیات môi trường
4 a slight amount an element of doubt. element مِقْدار частица nádech vis mængde; element das Fünkchen ίχνος, υποψία parte, algo -vine جزء؛ مقدار کم pieni määrä élément עִיקָר हल्का शक इत्यादि tračak szemernyi vmi sedikit atriði; þáttur, hluti, vottur (af) un po' 少し 소량 dalelė daļa sedikit spoor snev, anelse ziarnko, drobina parcela fărâ­mă доля nádych drobec trunka spår, gnutta จำนวนเล็กน้อย pay, nebze, biraz 小量 момент تھوڑی سی مقدار một lượng nhỏ vật gì
5 the heating part in an electric kettle etc. element باعِث الحَرارَه في جِهاز كَهْرُبائي електрод tělísko varmeelement; element das Heizelement ηλεκτρική αντίσταση resistencia keeduspiraal المنت؛ مفتول vastus résistance גוּף חִימוּם अंश, अवयव ćelija fűtőelem elemen skautasamstæða, element resistenza 電熱線 전열 부분 kaitinamoji sekcija sekcija elemen pemanas verwarmingselement varmeelement/-legeme grzałka resistência re­zis­tenţă, element нагревательный элемент teliesko upor grejač element ส่วนที่โดนความร้อนของกาต้มน้ำ rezistans teli, direnç teli 電阻絲 елемент برقی کیتلی ميں گرم کرنے والا حصہ ruột ấm điện
adj eleˈmentary [-ˈmen-]
very simple; not advanced elementary mathematics. eenvoudig أساسي، إبْتِدائي елементарен elementární elementær; grundlæggende; basal; grund- grundlegend στοιχειώδης elemental, básico alg-, liht-, elementaarne ساده؛ ابتدایی alkeis- élémentaire יְסוֹדִי प्रारम्भिक elementaran, osnovan elemi elementer undirstöðu- elementare 初歩の 초급의 elementarus, pradinis elementārs asas elementair enkelt, elementært podstawowy elementar ele­mentar элементарный elementárny osnoven osnovni elementär, enkel, nybörjar- ขั้นต้น basit 初級的 елементарний; первинний بنیادی cơ bản
n pl elements
1 the first things to be learned in any subject the elements of musical theory. grondbeginsel أُصول، عَناصِر، مُقَوِّمات елементи základy elementære begreber die Grundlage στοιχεία, βασικές γνώσεις rudimentos algteadmised مبانی؛ اصول perusasiat rudiments יְסוֹדוֹת प्रारंभिक चीज osnove alapfogalmak dasar undirstöðuatriði rudimenti 基本 기본 pradmenys, pagrindai pamati unsur grondslagen basiskunnskap podstawy, elementy rudimentos noţiuni fundamentale азы základy osnove osnovi de första grunderna สิ่งพื้นฐานของการเรียน temel esaslar 原理,基礎 основи, початки ابتدائی اصول nguyên lý cơ bản
2 the forces of nature, as wind and rain. elemente عَناصِرُ الطَّبيعَه природните стихии, елементи živly naturkræfter Naturkräfte (pl.) στοιχεία της φύσης elementos loodusjõud آب و هوا؛ باد و باران luonnonvoimat éléments יסודות הטבע प्रकृति की शक्तियां जैसे आंधी, बारिश elementi elemek unsur alam náttúruöflin elementi 自然力 자연력 gamtos jėgos, stichija dabas spēki alam sekitar elementen elementene żywioły elementos ele­mente (ale naturii) стихия živly naravne sile element väder och vind, elementen พลังธรรมชาติ (kötü) hava (şartları) 自然力;風雨 стихії فضا کے بنیادی عناصر sức mạnh thiên nhiên
in one's element
in the surroundings that are most natural or pleasing to one. in jou element, gelukkig, tuis في بيئَتِهِ الطَّبيعِيَّه в нечия околна среда ve svém živlu i sit rette element in seinem Element sein βρίσκομαι στο στοιχείο μου estar en su elemento, estar muy a gusto oma sõiduvees olema خوشایند ترین مکان olla elementissään dans son élément בְּמַצָב טִבעִי अपने उत्कर्ष पर biti u svom elementu elemében van unsur alami vera í eðlilegu umhverfi/essinu sínu nel proprio elemento 本領を発揮して 본래의 활동 범위 안에 있다 savo stichijoje savā elementā sekitaran in zijn element i sitt rette element/ess w swoim żywiole no seu elemento în elementul său в своей стихии vo svojom živle v elementu u svom elementu i sitt rätta element ธรรมชาติ kendi çevresinde 處於適宜的環境 як сир в маслі اپنے اصلی ماحول میں ہونا ở đúng trong môi trường của mình

element عنصر prvek element Element στοιχείο elemento elementti élément element elemento 要素 요소 element element element elemento элемент element องค์ประกอบ bileşen thành phần 要素


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Contentment with our lot is an element of happiness.
I suspected that Blanche Stroeve's violent dislike of Strickland had in it from the beginning a vague element of sexual attraction.
As for Polychrome--the Rainbow's Daughter--and stupid little Button-Bright, they seem to have brought a new element of fun into these Oz stories, and I am glad I discovered them.
 
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