element

1 one of the parts that make up a whole <a free press is an essential element of a democracy> Synonyms building block, component, constituent, factor, ingredient, member Related Words basis, part and parcel; detail, item, particular, point; aspect, characteristic, facet, feature, trait; division, fragment, particle, partition, piece, portion, section, sector, segment; subcomponent Near Antonyms aggregate, composite, compound, mass; entirety, sum, summation, total, totality; admixture, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, combination, intermixture, mix, mixture Antonyms whole

2 elements pl  general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based <the elements of mathematics can be traced back to Euclid> Synonyms ABC(s), alphabet, basics, elements, essentials, fundamentals, grammar, rudimentsRelated Words basis, bedrock, cornerstone, foundation, groundwork, keystone, underpinning; nitty-gritty; belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, faith, philosophy; axiom, law, precept, tenet; rule, standard; theoremNear Antonyms details, trivia

3 a region of activity, knowledge, or influence <she felt a bit out of her element in the mathematics section of the exam> Synonyms area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, field, fief, fiefdom, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walkRelated Words frontier; study, subject; territory, turf; occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation; ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width; subfield, subspecialty