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ELEMENTAL
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Of or being the essential or basic part
Example:
a basal reader
Synonyms:
basal; elemental; elementary; primary
Classified under:
Similar:
basic (pertaining to or constituting a base or basis)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Relating to or being an element
Example:
elemental sulphur
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Pertainym:
element (any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Relating to severe atmospheric conditions
Example:
a race against hail or cold rains or some other elemental catastrophe
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Pertainym:
elements (violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements))
Context examples:
Phosphorus ion requiring five electrons to return to its elemental state.
(P5+, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)
Lead ion requiring two electrons to return to its elemental state.
(Pb2+, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)
Lead ion requiring four electrons to return to its elemental state.
(Pb4+, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)
A substance relating to or containing elemental carbon or carbon compounds.
(Organic, NCI Thesaurus)
Nickel ion requiring two electrons to return to its elemental state.
(Ni2+, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)
Manganese ion requiring two electrons to return to its elemental state.
(Mn2+, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)
Sodium ion requiring one electron to return to its elemental state.
(Na+, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)
Here was my own pet lunatic—the most pronounced of his type that I had ever met with—talking elemental philosophy, and with the manner of a polished gentleman.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
Copper ion requiring two electrons to return to its elemental state.
(Cupric Cation, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)
Arsenic ion requiring five electrons to return to its elemental state.
(As5+, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)
