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el·e·ment

Pronounced:

/ˈɛləmənt/Listen to audio

Function:

noun

Inflected forms:

plural el·e·ments

Meaning:

1 [count] chemistry : one of the basic substances that are made of atoms of only one kind and that cannot be separated by ordinary chemical means into simpler substances chemical elements Water is composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen.
2 [count] : a particular part of something (such as a situation or activity) Self-confidence was a key/vital element [=factor] in her success. There's always an element of risk [=there's always some risk] in starting a new business. There's a large element of truth [=there's a great deal of truth] in what she says. The attackers were relying on the element of surprise. [=they were relying on their attack being a surprise]
3 [count] : a part of an electrical device that produces heat the (heating) element of an electric iron
4 elements [plural] : the most basic parts of a subject of study the elements [=rudiments] of grammar
5 [count] : a group of people that form part of a larger group the different elements of society the criminal element
6 elements [plural] : the weather and especially stormy or cold weather The deck's bare wood was exposed to the elements. The climbers battled/braved the elements to reach the summit.
7 [singular] : the state or place that is normal or suited to a person or thing At school she was (really) in her element. [=in a place where she was comortable and did well] I tried living in the city, but I was/felt out of my element there. [=living in the city did not suit me]
8 [count] : one of the four substances (air, water, fire, and earth) that were believed in the past to make up every physical thing in the universe
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