An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. General: A component or constituent of a whole or one of the parts into which a whole may be resolved by analysis.
   

2. Astro.: Any of the data required to define the precise nature of an orbit and to determine the position of a planet in the orbit at any given time. → orbital element.
   

3. Chemistry:: One of the 117 presently known substances that cannot be decomposed by chemical reaction into a simpler substance.
   

4. Math.:a) Of a cylinder or cone, the generating line of the surface, taken in any position. b) Of a set, any member of the set.

Etymology (EN): From O.Fr. élément, from L. elementum “rudiment, one of the four elements, first principle,” origin unknown.

Etymology (PE): Bonpâr, from bon “basis; root; foundation; bottom;” Mid.Pers. bun “root; foundation; beginning,” Av. būna- “base, depth,” cf. Skt. bundha-, budhná- “base, bottom,” Pali bunda- “root of tree” + pâr contraction of pâré “piece, part, portion, fragment;” Mid.Pers. pârag “piece, part, portion; gift, offering, bribe;” Av. pāra- “debt,” from par- “to remunerate, equalize; to condemn;” PIE *per- “to sell, hand over, distribute; to assign;” cf. L. pars “part, piece, side, share,” portio “share, portion;” Gk. peprotai “it has been granted;” Skt. purti- “reward;” Hitt. pars-, parsiya- “to break, crumble.”

Onsor from Ar.