Element
Honda compact crossover
Element originally meant one of the basic substances—earth, water, air, fire—thought to compose all matter.
Modern chemistry replaced these with the periodic table's elements: hydrogen, oxygen, gold, and so on, each defined by its atomic number.
The meaning extends to any fundamental component: the elements of good writing, a criminal element in the neighborhood.
To be in your element is to be in conditions that suit you.
The elements, plural, refers to weather, especially harsh conditions: exposed to the elements.
Systematic display of elements
- atomElement's smallest unit
- hydrogenSimplest atomic element
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
compound · molecule · isotope · atomic number · electron · proton · neutron · noble gas
Soil or electrical grounding
- waterClear essential liquid
- fireCombustion with flames
- airGaseous envelope surrounding Earth
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
nature · force · wind · storm · lightning · rain · thunder · flood
Piece of whole
- constituentMember of electoral district
- ingredientElement in a mixture
- factorContributor to result
- pieceA portion or segment
aspect · segment · unit · building block · portion · fraction · member · feature
Fundamental truth or standard
- fundamentalForming the base
- basicFundamental in nature
- rudimentaryIn simplest possible form
- foundationUnderlying support structure
essential · core · primary · introductory · ABC · beginner · groundwork · starting point
Organism's natural environment
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- nicheRecessed wall space
- conditionState or stipulation
- climatePrevailing atmospheric conditions
terrain · natural habitat · wild · adapted · survival · native · exposure · weather
periodic table
Systematic display of elements
carbon · compound · molecule · isotope · atomic number · electron · proton · neutron · noble gas · metal
earth
Soil or electrical grounding
classical · nature · force · wind · storm · lightning · rain · thunder · flood · drought
part
Piece of whole
- constituentMember of electoral district
- ingredientElement in a mixture
- factorContributor to result
piece · aspect · segment · unit · building block · portion · fraction · member · feature · detail
principle
Fundamental truth or standard
- fundamentalForming the base
- basicFundamental in nature
- rudimentaryIn simplest possible form
foundation · essential · core · primary · introductory · ABC · beginner · groundwork · starting point · basis
habitat
Organism's natural environment
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- nicheRecessed wall space
- conditionState or stipulation
climate · terrain · natural habitat · wild · adapted · survival · native · exposure · weather · temperature
unit
Individual part or measure
group · force · corps · division · operative · insurgent · hostile · rogue · subversive · covert
coil
Wound circular arrangement
appliance · filament · resistance · wire · hot plate · cooktop · kettle · immersion · radiant · glow
Elementshelter
Protected place or structure
refuge · protection · cover · controlled environment · haven
- elementary schoolInstitution for young pupils
- in one's elementIdeally suited to surroundings
- chemical elementFundamental pure substance
- element of surpriseAdvantage through unpredictability
- out of one's elementIn uncomfortable, unfamiliar surroundings
- elementary, my dear WatsonCatchphrase claiming simple logic