element

noun

1. 1

   an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system

   spare components for cars

   a component or constituent element of a system

2. 2

   an abstract part of something

   jealousy was a component of his character

   two constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmony

3. 3

   the most favorable environment for a plant or animal

   water is the element of fishes

4. 4

   a straight line that generates a cylinder or cone

5. 5

   the situation in which you are happiest and most effective

   in your element

6. 6

   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

7. 7

   one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe

   the alchemists believed that there were four elements