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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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One of the smallest natural divisions of the organism, as
a blood corpuscle, a muscular fiber. |
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One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly called
cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms, or their tissues and
organs, are composed. |
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An infinitesimal part of anything of the same nature as
the entire magnitude considered; as, in a solid an element may be the
infinitesimal portion between any two planes that are separated an
indefinitely small distance. In the calculus, element is sometimes used
as synonymous with differential. |
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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. |
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One of the terms in an algebraic expression. |
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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. |
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The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in
philosophy, science, or art; rudiments; as, the elements of geometry,
or of music. |
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Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the
fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question; as, the
elements of a plan. |
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One of the simple substances, as supposed by the ancient
philosophers; one of the imaginary principles of matter. |
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The four elements were, air, earth, water, and fire |
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the conditions and movements of the air. |
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The elements of the alchemists were salt, sulphur, and
mercury. |
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The whole material composing the world. |
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The bread and wine used in the eucharist or Lord's supper. |
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To compound of elements or first principles. |
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To constitute; to make up with elements. |