资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

----------------------------------------------------------- The
Elements -- continued
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Name Samarium Scandium Selenium Silicon Silver (Argentum) Sodium
(Natrium) Strontium Sulphur Tantalum Tellurium Thallium Thorium
Thulium Tin (Stannum) Titanium Tungsten (Wolframium) Uranium
Vanadium Wolfranium (see {Tungsten}) Xenon Ytterbium Yttrium
Zinc Zirconium
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   Note: Several other elements have been announced, as holmium,
         vesbium, austrium, etc., but their properties, and in
         some cases their existence, have not yet been
         definitely established.

   3. One of the ultimate parts which are variously combined in
      anything; as, letters are the elements of written
      language; hence, also, a simple portion of that which is
      complex, as a shaft, lever, wheel, or any simple part in a
      machine; one of the essential ingredients of any mixture;
      a constituent part; as, quartz, feldspar, and mica are the
      elements of granite.

            The simplicity which is so large an element in a
            noble nature was laughed to scorn.    --Jowett
                                                  (Thucyd.).

   4.
      (a) One out of several parts combined in a system of
          aggregation, when each is of the nature of the whole;
          as, a single cell is an element of the honeycomb.
      (b) (Anat.) One of the smallest natural divisions of the
          organism, as a blood corpuscle, a muscular fiber.

   5. (Biol.) One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly
      called cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms, or
      their tissues and organs, are composed.

   6. (Math.)
      (a) An infinitesimal part of anything of the same nature
          as the entire magnitude considered; as, in a solid an
          element may be the infinitesimal portion between any
          two planes that are separated an indefinitely small
          distance. In the calculus, element is sometimes used
          as synonymous with differential.
      (b) Sometimes a curve, or surface, or volume is considered
          as described by a moving point, or curve, or surface,
          the latter being at any instant called an element of
          the former.
      (c) One of the terms in an algebraic expression.

   7. One of the necessary data or values upon which a system of
      calculations depends, or general conclusions are based;
      as, the elements of a planet's orbit.

   8. pl. The simplest or fundamental principles of any system
      in philosophy, science, or art; rudiments; as, the
      elements of geometry, or of music.

   9. pl. Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the
      fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question;
      as, the elements of a plan.

   10. One of the simple substances, as supposed by the ancient
       philosophers; one of the imaginary principles of matter.
       (a) The four elements were, air, earth, water, and fire;

   Note: whence it is said, water is the proper element of
         fishes; air is the element of birds. Hence, the state
         or sphere natural to anything or suited for its
         existence.

               Of elements The grosser feeds the purer: Earth
               the Sea; Earth and the Sea feed Air; the Air
               those Fires Ethereal.              --Milton.

               Does not our life consist of the four elements?
                                                  --Shak.

               And the complexion of the element [i. e.,the sky
               or air] In favor's like the work we have in hand,
               Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. --Shak.

               About twelve ounces [of food], with mere element
               for drink.                         --Cheyne.

               They show that they are out of their element.
                                                  --T. Baker.
         Esp., the conditions and movements of the air. ``The
         elements be kind to thee.''
       (b) The elements of the alchemists were salt, sulphur,
           and mercury. --Brande & C.

   11. pl. The whole material composing the world.

             The elements shall melt with fervent heat. --2
                                                  Peter iii. 10.

   12. pl. (Eccl.) The bread and wine used in the eucharist or
       Lord's supper.

   {Magnetic element}, one of the hypothetical elementary
      portions of which a magnet is regarded as made up.