element

[[t]e̱lɪmənt[/t]]

♦♦

elements

1) N-COUNT: usu pl, usu with supp The different elements of something are the different parts it contains.

The exchange of prisoners of war was one of the key elements of the UN's peace plan.

Syn:

constituent

Ant:

whole

2) N-COUNT: with supp A particular element of a situation, activity, or process is an important quality or feature that it has or needs.

Fitness has now become an important element in our lives.

Syn:

factor

3) N-COUNT: usu pl, supp N When you talk about elements within a society or organization, you are referring to groups of people who have similar aims, beliefs, or habits.

The government must weed out criminal elements from within the security forces.

...the hooligan element.

Ant:

individual

4) N-COUNT: usu sing, N of n If something has an element of a particular quality or emotion, it has a certain amount of this quality or emotion.

These reports clearly contain elements of propaganda.

5) N-COUNT An element is a substance such as gold, oxygen, or carbon that consists of only one type of atom.

Ant:

compound

6) N-COUNT: usu sing The element in an electric fire or water heater is the metal part which changes the electric current into heat.

With its unique heating element it makes perfect coffee.

7) N-PLURAL: the N You can refer to the weather, especially wind and rain, as the elements.

The area where most refugees are waiting is exposed to the elements.

8) PHRASE: v-link PHR If you say that someone is in their element, you mean that they are in a situation they enjoy. If you say that someone is out of their element, you mean that they are in a situation that they do not enjoy.

My stepmother was in her element, organizing everything...

Maybe it's because they're so out of their element that they feel the need to talk.