Latin

Noun

elementum n ‎(genitive elementi); second declension

1. (chemistry, physics) one of four elements that composed the world.
2. basic principle, rudiment
3. (in the plural) the alphabet

Usage notes

Most often used in the plural to refer collectively to the components.

Inflection

Second declension.

Hyponyms

• (one of four elements): aer, aqua, ignis, tellus / terra

Related terms

• elementārius

Descendants

• English: element
• French: élément
• Galician: elemento
• German: Element
• Portuguese: elemento
• Russian: элемент ‎(element)
• Spanish: elemento

References

• elementum in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• elementum in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• ELEMENTUM in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
• Félix Gaffiot (1934), “elementum”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.
• Meissner, Carl; Auden, Henry William (1894) Latin Phrase-Book, London: Macmillan and Co.
  • the elements: elementa; initia or principia rerum
    
  • the elements and first beginnings: elementa et tamquam semina rerum
    
  • to teach children the rudiments: pueros elementa (prima) docere
    
  • to receive the first elements of a liberal education: primis litterarum elementis imbui
    
  • the alphabet: litterae, elementa
    
• elementum in Ramminger, Johann (accessed 16 July 2016) Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, pre-publication website, 2005-2016