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    element

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    element
    el‧e‧ment S2 W1 AC /ˈeləmənt, ˈelɪmənt/ noun [countable]
     Date: 1300-1400
     Language: Old French
     Origin: Latin elementum
    1.  PART one part or feature of a whole system, plan, piece of work etc, especially one that is basic or important
        element of
        Honesty is a vital element of her success.
        element in
        the primary element in the country’s economy
        important/key/essential/vital etc element
        Besides ability, the other essential element in political success is luck.
        Business and management elements are built into the course.
    2. element of surprise/truth/risk/doubt etc an amount, usually small, of a quality or feeling:
        There is an element of truth in your argument.
    3.  CHEMISTRY a simple chemical substance such as carbon or oxygen that consists of atoms of only one kind ⇨ compound1(1)
    4.  PEOPLE a group of people who form part of a larger group, especially when the rest of the group does not approve of them ⇨ faction:
        the hard-line communist elements in the party
    5. the elements [plural] the weather, especially bad weather:
        sailors battling against the elements
    6.  HEATING the part of a piece of electrical equipment that produces heat
    7. the elements of something the most simple things that you have to learn first about a subject:
        She doesn’t even know the basic elements of politeness.
    8.  EARTH/AIR/FIRE/WATER one of the four substances (earth, air, fire, and water) from which people used to believe that everything was made
    9. be in your element to be in a situation that you enjoy, because you are good at it:
        Graham was in his element, building a fire and cooking the steaks.
    10. be out of your element to be in a situation that makes you uncomfortable or unhappy:
        She was out of her element in this dull little town.
         
    COLLOCATIONS
    ■ adjectives
       ▪ an important element This one fact is the most important element of the theory.
       ▪ a major element (=very important) Private study is a major element of the students’ timetable.
       ▪ a key element (=very important and necessary) Trust is a key element in any relationship.
       ▪ a crucial/critical element (=extremely important and necessary) The most crucial element of our economic system is the law of supply and demand.
       ▪ a vital/essential element (=necessary so that something can happen or exist) Her determination is a vital element of her success.
       ▪ the main element (=most important) The reform programme has three main elements.