elemental
pronunciation
How to pronounce elemental in British English:
UK [ˌelɪˈmentl]
How to pronounce elemental in American English:
US [ˌɛləˈmɛntl]
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- Adjective:
- being or resembling a force of nature
- being the ultimate or elemental constituents of anything
- relating to or being an element
- relating to severe atmospheric conditions
Word Origin
- elemental (adj.)
- late 15c., "pertaining to the four elements," from Medieval Latin elementalis, from Latin elementum (see element). Meaning "pertaining to the powers of nature" is from 1823. The noun in the occult sense "a spirit of the elements" is from 1877. Related: Elementally.
Example
- 1. It 's darwin at its most elemental , your genes vs. hers .
- 2. Finally , there is the elemental fact that america can no longer afford its own ambitions .
- 3. He maintained that technology alters cognition itself , all the way down to its deepest , most elemental processes .
- 4. What they are being forced to go through now is -- in the most elemental sense of this word -- a shame .
- 5. It 's the most elemental question in the world , but one that is not always easy to answer .