Dictionary.net

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

one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe; "the alchemists believed that there were four elements"

the most favorable environment for a plant or animal; "water is the element of fishes"

a straight line that generates a cylinder or cone

the situation in which you are happiest and most effective; "in your 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

one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe; "the alchemists believed that there were four elements"

the most favorable environment for a plant or animal; "water is the element of fishes"

a straight line that generates a cylinder or cone

the situation in which you are happiest and most effective; "in your element"

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.

One of the ultimate, undecomposable constituents of any kind of matter. Specifically: (Chem.) A substance which cannot be decomposed into different kinds of matter by any means at present employed; as, the elements of water are oxygen and hydrogen.

One of the ultimate parts which are variously combined in anything; as, letters are the elements of written language; hence, also, a simple portion of that which is complex, as a shaft, lever, wheel, or any simple part in a machine; one of the essential ingredients of any mixture; a constituent part; as, quartz, feldspar, and mica are the elements of granite.

One out of several parts combined in a system of aggregation, when each is of the nature of the whole; as, a single cell is an element of the honeycomb.

One of the smallest natural divisions of the organism, as a blood corpuscle, a muscular fiber.

One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly called cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms, or their tissues and organs, are composed.

Sometimes a curve, or surface, or volume is considered as described by a moving point, or curve, or surface, the latter being at any instant called an element of the former.

One of the terms in an algebraic expression.

One of the necessary data or values upon which a system of calculations depends, or general conclusions are based; as, the elements of a planet's orbit.

The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in philosophy, science, or art; rudiments; as, the elements of geometry, or of music.

Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question; as, the elements of a plan.

One of the simple substances, as supposed by the ancient philosophers; one of the imaginary principles of matter.

The four elements were, air, earth, water, and fire

the conditions and movements of the air.

The whole material composing the world.

To compound of elements or first principles.

To constitute; to make up with 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.

One of the ultimate, undecomposable constituents of any kind of matter. Specifically: (Chem.) A substance which cannot be decomposed into different kinds of matter by any means at present employed; as, the elements of water are oxygen and hydrogen.

One of the ultimate parts which are variously combined in anything; as, letters are the elements of written language; hence, also, a simple portion of that which is complex, as a shaft, lever, wheel, or any simple part in a machine; one of the essential ingredients of any mixture; a constituent part; as, quartz, feldspar, and mica are the elements of granite.

One out of several parts combined in a system of aggregation, when each is of the nature of the whole; as, a single cell is an element of the honeycomb.

One of the smallest natural divisions of the organism, as a blood corpuscle, a muscular fiber.

One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly called cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms, or their tissues and organs, are composed.

Sometimes a curve, or surface, or volume is considered as described by a moving point, or curve, or surface, the latter being at any instant called an element of the former.

One of the terms in an algebraic expression.

One of the necessary data or values upon which a system of calculations depends, or general conclusions are based; as, the elements of a planet's orbit.

The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in philosophy, science, or art; rudiments; as, the elements of geometry, or of music.

Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question; as, the elements of a plan.

One of the simple substances, as supposed by the ancient philosophers; one of the imaginary principles of matter.

The four elements were, air, earth, water, and fire

the conditions and movements of the air.

The whole material composing the world.

To compound of elements or first principles.

To constitute; to make up with elements.

A first or main principle; one of the main parts of the physical world, as fire, water, air, etc.; natural environment, or life with which one is familiar; as, he is out of his element; ingredient; in chemistry, a substance which cannot be separated into other substances.

A simple substance; the last substance of an analyzed compound.

A first principle: one of the essential parts of anything: an ingredient: the proper state or sphere of any thing or being:-pl. the rudiments of anything: (chem.) the simple bodies that have not been decomposed: among the ancients, fire, air, earth, and water, supposed to be the constituents of all things: the bread and wine used at the Communion.

Elemental.

First principle; simple constituent; ingredient; proper sphere.

A component; constituent; ingredient.

Rudiments.

The bread and wine of the Lord's Supper.

Natural agencies, as of earth, air, fire, and water.

The natural sphere or environment.

A form of matter which can not be decomposed by any known means.

A substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances.

A simple, ultimate constituent or principle in the human body, which forms the basis of a fibre or tissue. Also, a constituent of a compound organ. The inorganic elements are simple principles. An organic element, proximate principle or compound of organization, results from the union of certain inorganic elements. Oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and azote, are inorganic elements; fibrin, albumen, osmazome, &e., organic elements.

An ultimate chemical constituent.

In general, a simple ultimate constituent of a compound substance, structure, or organ; also any individual part or group of parts of a structure, process, or series of phenomena.

Of a galvanic battery, the substances immersed in the exciting liquid, or liquids, considered as a couple with the vessel containing them.

In the pl., the rudiments of a science.

n. [Latin] The first or constituent part of;—the minutest part of; an atom; an ingredient;—the matter or substance which composes the world;—that which is the proper habitation of an animal; sphere; suitable position;—that which excites action; moving cause or principle;—a part of a system;—a point to be taken into account; an important part in a case; —a sum or item in a calculation:—pl. The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in philosophy, science, or art; rudiments;—that which ancient philosophy supposed to be simple and undecomposable, as the four so called elements air, earth, water, and fire;—the bread and wine used in the eucharist.

The first; or constituent principle of any thing; the four elements, usually so called, are earth, fire, air, water, of which our world is composed; the proper habitation or sphere of any thing; an ingredient, a constituent part; the letters of any language; the lowest or first rudiments of literature or science.