element noun
1 one part of sth
ADJ. basic, critical, crucial, decisive, essential, fundamental, important, key, main, major, necessary, principal, significant, vital | dominant The promise of tax cuts became the dominant element in the campaign. | considerable, large There is a considerable element of danger in her job. | competitive There is too much of a competitive element in the sales department. | racial, sexual Police say there may have been a racial element to the attacks.
VERB + ELEMENT be, constitute, form | contain, have, include, involve These rumours do contain an element of truth. | introduce
PREP. ~ in This constitutes one of the key elements in this reform programme. | ~ of Practical work will form a major element of the syllabus. There may have been an element of jealousy in her response.
2 the elements: bad weather
VERB + ELEMENT brave I put on my thick coat ready to brave the elements. | battle (against) He told us stories of how he had battled the elements on his mountaineering trips. | be exposed to, be open to The place was completely exposed to the elements. | be protected from, be sheltered from
PHRASES protection/shelter from the elements
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