ELEMENTAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does elemental mean? 

• ELEMENTAL (adjective)
  The adjective ELEMENTAL has 3 senses:

1. relating to or being an element

2. relating to severe atmospheric conditions

3. of or being the essential or basic part

  Familiarity information: ELEMENTAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ELEMENTAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Relating to or being an element

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

elemental sulphur

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 2

Meaning:

Relating to severe atmospheric conditions

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

a race against hail or cold rains or some other elemental catastrophe

Pertainym:

elements (violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Of or being the essential or basic part

Synonyms:

basal; elemental; elementary; primary

Context example:

a basal reader

Similar:

basic (pertaining to or constituting a base or basis)

 Context examples 

This technique is utilized to analyze trace and ultra-trace elemental constituents of inorganic materials.

(Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry, NCI Thesaurus)

Mercury ion requiring one electron to return to its elemental state.

(Hg+, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

Mercury ion requiring two electrons to return to its elemental state.

(Hg2+, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

Fluorine ion requiring removal of one electron to return to its elemental state.

(Fluoride, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

Iron ion requiring two electrons to return to its elemental state.

(Ferrous, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

Copper ion requiring one electron to return to its elemental state.

(Cuprous, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

Forms of the elemental minerals found in foods.

(Dietary Mineral, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

Iron ion requiring three electrons to return to its elemental state.

(Ferric, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

Iodine ion requiring removal of one electron to return to its elemental state.

(Iodide, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

Magnesium ion requiring two electrons to return to its elemental state.

(Magnesium Cation, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)