noun One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.
Letters are the elements of written language.
noun Any one of the types of atom distinguished by having a certain number of protons in its nucleus.
noun A chemical substance made entirely of one such type of atom; any one of the simplest chemical substances that cannot be decomposed in a chemical reaction or by any chemical means and made up of atoms all having the same number of protons.
noun One of the four basic building blocks of matter in theories of ancient philosophers and alchemists: water, earth, fire, and air.
noun A basic, simple substance out of which something is made, raw material.
noun A required aspect or component of a cause of action. A deed is regarded as a violation of law only if each element can be proved.