element
element
Pronunciation
element (British and American pronunciations differ slightly)
British English: /ˈɛ́lɪmənt/ (three syllables)
Syllable 1: /ɛ́/ (long "e" sound as in "bed")
Syllable 2: /lɪ/ (short "i" sound as in "bit")
Syllable 3: /mənt/ (stressed "uh" sound followed by "nt")
American English: /ˈɛləmənt/ (three syllables)
Syllable 1: /ɛ/ (short "e" sound as in "bet")
Syllable 2: /lə/ (short "uh" sound)
Syllable 3: /mənt/ (stressed "uh" sound followed by "nt")
Word Form Variations
The word "element" has the following word form variations:
Singular: element (base word)
Plural: elements (standard plural form)
Possessive: element's (singular possessive)
Possessive (plural): elements' (plural possessive)
No other: There are no other common conjugations or derivations for "element" itself.
However, there are related words derived from "element" that you might find useful:
Adjective: elemental (of or relating to elements)
Verb: elementalize (to make something elemental)
Other: elementary (basic, fundamental)
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Chemistry: A fundamental substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Each element is made up of unique atoms with a specific number of protons. (Synonyms: basic substance, chemical building block; Antonyms: compound)
Example: Oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) are both elements.
Maths: A member of a set. (Synonyms: member, constituent)
Example: The number 5 is an element of the set of odd numbers.
A fundamental or essential part of something. (Synonyms: component, ingredient, necessity; Antonyms: nonessential, peripheral)
Example: Water is an element of a healthy diet.
A natural environment or habitat where something thrives. (Synonyms: domain, realm, milieu; Antonyms: alien environment)
Example: The fish was in its element in the clear, flowing stream.
Adjective:
Of or relating to elements, especially chemical elements. (Synonyms: elemental, atomic)
Example: The elemental composition of the Earth's crust is constantly changing.
Basic, fundamental, or essential. (Synonyms: basic, rudimentary, core; Antonyms: complex, advanced)
Example: The course covered the element principles of statistics.
Examples of Use
Noun (Chemistry):
Book: "The Periodic Table: A New Version of an Old Order" by Primo Levi describes the elements as the building blocks of matter (Levi, 1984).
Newspaper: A science article in The New York Times discusses the discovery of a new superheavy element (The New York Times, 2023).
Noun (Math):
Online Publication: Khan Academy uses "element" to refer to members of sets in their lessons on set theory (Khan Academy).
Entertainment Medium (Video Game): Games like Tetris use elements (the different shapes) that players need to arrange strategically.
Noun (Essential Part):
General Public Discourse: "Time is a crucial element in this emergency response."
Entertainment Medium (Movie): In the movie "The Lord of the Rings," the One Ring is described as an element of great power.
Noun (Natural Environment):
Newspaper: An article about endangered species might mention the importance of protecting their natural element, like a specific type of rainforest.
Entertainment Medium (TV Show): Nature documentaries often showcase animals thriving in their element.
Adjective:
Book: A chemistry textbook might use "elemental" to describe the basic properties of elements.
Online Publication: A news website might use "elemental" to describe a natural disaster as a force of nature in its raw, destructive form.
Adjective (Basic):
General Public Discourse: "Learning to cook involves understanding some elemental cooking techniques."
Entertainment Medium (Music): A music review might describe a song as having a simple, elemental melody.
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Element
"Water is the element of change. It dissolves, it carries away, it breaks down all that is rigid and inflexible." - Paracelsus (Swiss physician and alchemist)
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." - Voltaire (French writer and philosopher)
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." - Albert Einstein (German-born theoretical physicist)
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled." - Plutarch (Greek philosopher, biographer, and essayist)
"A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic." - Joseph Stalin (Soviet dictator)
"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." - Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." - Steve Jobs (American co-founder of Apple)
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates (Greek philosopher)
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller (American author, activist, and lecturer)
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (Greek philosopher)
Etymology
The word "element" has a long history, kind of like a family tree! The English word "element" comes from the Latin word "elementum." This Latin word meant "first principle" or "rudiment." It's not exactly clear where the Latin word came from, but it might be even older!
The first time people used "element" in English (around 1250) it referred to the four basic things that ancient thinkers believed everything was made of: earth, air, fire, and water. So, back then, an element was like a building block of the universe!
Over time, the meaning of "element" expanded. Scientists started using it for the basic substances they couldn't break down any further, like gold or oxygen. That's the meaning we use most often today in science. But the older idea of an element as a crucial part of something is still around too, like when we say "time is an element of success."
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Element
In My Element: Feeling comfortable, confident, and thriving in a particular situation.
Example: "When I'm solving puzzles, I'm truly in my element."
Fifth Element: Something seen as crucial or missing to complete a whole. This phrase can also be a reference to the movie "The Fifth Element."
Example: "Finding a reliable teammate was the fifth element we needed for a successful project."
Out of My Element: Feeling uncomfortable, awkward, or unskilled in a particular situation.
Example: "Public speaking makes me feel completely out of my element."
Elemental: Basic, fundamental, or essential.
Example: "The recipe only requires a few elemental ingredients."
Simplest Elements: The most basic or fundamental parts of something.
Example: "The story can be enjoyed on the level of a simple adventure, but it also has deeper themes explored through its simplest elements."
In Its Element: Thriving in a natural or suitable environment.
Example: "The fish seemed right in its element swimming through the coral reef."
Posts Related to Element
Source Information
Definition of element from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.