any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
synonymous: chemical element
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
a component or constituent element of a system
synonymous: component, constituent
one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe
the alchemists believed that there were four elements
the most favorable environment for a plant or animal
water is the element of fishes
the situation in which you are happiest and most effective