The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - element n.

1) component, constituent, ingredient, essential, fundamental, part, unit, piece, segment, feature, factor, detail, particular: Each element was carefully designed with a view to its place in the whole. 2) environment, atmosphere, situation, locale, territory, sphere, habitat, medium, domain: Ordway is really in his element at a party. 3) elements. a (adverse or unfavourable) weather, climatic conditions: Stay here tonight - there's no need to brave the elements. b rudiments, basics, fundamentals, foundations, essentials, principles: It was she who taught me the elements of flying a helicopter.