el‧e‧ment S2 W1 AC / eləmənt, elɪmənt / 名词 [可数名词]

1 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.

2 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.

3 chemistry a simple chemical substance such as carbon or oxygen that consists of atoms of only one kind → compound 1 ( 1 )

4 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

5 the elements [复数形式] the weather, especially bad weather :

sailors battling against the elements

6 heating the part of a piece of electrical equipment that produces heat

7 the elements of something the most simple things that you have to learn first about a subject :

She doesn’t even know the basic elements of politeness.

8 earth/air/fire/water one of the four substances (earth, air, fire, and water) from which people used to believe that everything was made

9 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.

10 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.

COLLOCATIONS

形容词

an important element This one fact is the most important element of the theory.

a major element (= very important ) Private study is a major element of the students’ timetable.

a key element (= very important and necessary ) Trust is a key element in any relationship.

a crucial/critical element (= extremely important and necessary ) The most crucial element of our economic system is the law of supply and demand.

a vital/essential element (= necessary so that something can happen or exist ) Her determination is a vital element of her success.

the main element (= most important ) The reform programme has three main elements.