Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
----------------------------------------------------------- The
Elements -- continued
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Name Samarium Scandium Selenium Silicon Silver (Argentum) Sodium
(Natrium) Strontium Sulphur Tantalum Tellurium Thallium Thorium
Thulium Tin (Stannum) Titanium Tungsten (Wolframium) Uranium
Vanadium Wolfranium (see {Tungsten}) Xenon Ytterbium Yttrium
Zinc Zirconium
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Note: Several other elements have been announced, as holmium,
vesbium, austrium, etc., but their properties, and in
some cases their existence, have not yet been
definitely established.
3. 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.
The simplicity which is so large an element in a
noble nature was laughed to scorn. --Jowett
(Thucyd.).
4.
(a) 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.
(b) (Anat.) One of the smallest natural divisions of the
organism, as a blood corpuscle, a muscular fiber.
5. (Biol.) One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly
called cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms, or
their tissues and organs, are composed.
6. (Math.)
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) One of the terms in an algebraic expression.
7. 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.
8. pl. The simplest or fundamental principles of any system
in philosophy, science, or art; rudiments; as, the
elements of geometry, or of music.
9. pl. Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the
fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question;
as, the elements of a plan.
10. One of the simple substances, as supposed by the ancient
philosophers; one of the imaginary principles of matter.
(a) The four elements were, air, earth, water, and fire;
Note: whence it is said, water is the proper element of
fishes; air is the element of birds. Hence, the state
or sphere natural to anything or suited for its
existence.
Of elements The grosser feeds the purer: Earth
the Sea; Earth and the Sea feed Air; the Air
those Fires Ethereal. --Milton.
Does not our life consist of the four elements?
--Shak.
And the complexion of the element [i. e.,the sky
or air] In favor's like the work we have in hand,
Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. --Shak.
About twelve ounces [of food], with mere element
for drink. --Cheyne.
They show that they are out of their element.
--T. Baker.
Esp., the conditions and movements of the air. ``The
elements be kind to thee.''
(b) The elements of the alchemists were salt, sulphur,
and mercury. --Brande & C.
11. pl. The whole material composing the world.
The elements shall melt with fervent heat. --2
Peter iii. 10.
12. pl. (Eccl.) The bread and wine used in the eucharist or
Lord's supper.
{Magnetic element}, one of the hypothetical elementary
portions of which a magnet is regarded as made up.