/'elɪmənt; `ɛləmənt/
n
1 [C] ~ (in/of sth) necessary or characteristic part of sth 要素; 特色
*Justice is an important element of good government. 公正是仁政的要素.
* What a sensational story! It has all the elements of a soap opera. 多么耸人听闻的事! 具备连续剧的一切要素.
2 [C usu sing 通常作单数] ~ of sth small amount of sth; suggestion or trace of sth 某事物的少量; 某事物的启示或痕迹
*There's an element of truth in his story. 他说的有些道理.
* There's always an element of danger in mountain climbing. 登山总是有些危险的.
3 [C] (chemistry 化) any of about
100 substances which cannot be split by ordinary chemical methods into simpler substances 元素
*Water is composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen. 水是由氢元素和氧元素组成的. Cf 参看 compound1 1, mixture 3.
4 [C] (according to ancient and medieval philosophers) any of the four substances, earth, air, fire and water, from which the universe was believed to be composed 要素（据古代和中世纪哲学家的观点, 认为构成宇宙的土、空气、火、水四种物质其中之一）.
5 the elements [pl] (fml 文) forces of nature, the weather, etc (esp bad weather) 自然力, 天气等（尤指坏天气）
*exposed to (the fury of) the elements 经受风吹雨打.
6 [C usu sing 通常作单数] natural or suitable environment or habitat 自然的或合适的环境或栖息地
*Water is a fish's natural element. 水是鱼的自然栖息地.
7 elements [pl] basic principles of a subject being studied; parts that must be learnt first （学科的）基本原则; 原理; 基础
*You must understand the elements of mathematics before we can proceed further. 你必须先弄懂数学基础知识, 我们才能进一步学习.
8 [C] part of an electric kettle, etc that gives out heat 电阻丝（电　等供热的部分）
*This heater needs a new element. 这个加热器需要一组新电阻丝.
9 (idm 习语) in/out of one's `element in/not in one's accustomed or preferred surroundings; doing/not doing what one is good at and enjoys 在[不在]某人习惯或喜欢的环境中; 做[不做]某人擅长和喜欢的事
*I'm out of my element in political discussions. 我不喜欢参加政治讨论.
* The children are really in their element playing on the beach. 孩子们在沙滩上嬉戏真是乐得其所.

n[C]

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1【part】
2 element of surprise/truth/risk/doubt etc
3【chemistry】
4【people】
5 the elements
6【heating】
7 the elements of something
8【earth/air/fire/water】
9 be in your element
10 be out of your element

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[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French;Origin:Latin elementum]
【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.
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.
【CHEMISTRY】
a simple chemical substance such as carbon or oxygen that consists of atoms of only one kind
→compound¹ (1)
【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
the elements [plural]
the weather, especially bad weather
　sailors battling against the elements
【HEATING】
the part of a piece of electrical equipment that produces heat
the elements of sth
the most simple things that you have to learn first about a subject
　She doesn't even know the basic elements of politeness.
【EARTH/AIR/FIRE/WATER】
one of the four substances (earth, air, fire, and water) from which people used to believe that everything was made
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.
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.