ĕlĕmentum, i, n. [root al-, to nourish; Gr. ἄν-αλ-τος, ἄλσος; Lat. alo, alimentum, etc.; cf. Sanscr. al-akā, a girl], a first principle, element (cf.: initium, principium, exordium, primordium); Gr. στοιχεῖον.
I Lit., in plur. : nec de elementis video dubitari quatuor esse ea, Plin. 2, 5, 4, § 10; Lucr. 1, 827; 913; 2, 393 et saep.; Cic. Ac. 1, 7, 26; Sen. Q. N. 3, 12 sq.; Quint. 2, 17, 38; 3, 8, 31; Ov. M. 15, 237; 1, 29; Vulg. 2 Pet. 3, 10.—In sing., Plin. 10, 69, 88, § 191; 11, 36, 42, § 119; 31, 1, 1, § 1; Juv. 15, 86; Amm. 17, 13: quia ignis inviolabile sit elementum, Lact. 1, 12 med. ; 7, 9 al.—
II Transf.
A The alphabet , Suet. Caes. 56 (cf. Prisc. 538 P.).—More freq.,
B Transf., the first principles , rudiments , in the arts and sciences (cf. doctrina, praecepta).
1 In gen.: puerorum, Cic. de Or. 1, 35, 163; cf. Quint. prooem. § 21; 1, 1, 35; Hor. S. 1, 1, 26; id. Ep. 1, 20, 17 et saep.: loquendi, Cic. Ac. 2 ( Luc. ), 28, 92; cf. id. de Or. 2, 11, 45; Quint. 2, 3, 13; Ov. M. 9, 719 et saep.—
2 In partic.
a The ten categories of Aristotle, Quint. 3, 6, 23 sq. Spald.—*
b Meton., elementary scholars , beginners : vix se prima elementa ad spem effingendae eloquentiae audebunt, Quint. 1, 2, 26.—
C The beginnings of other things: prima Romae, Ov. F. 3, 179: prima Caesaris, id. ib. 709: cupidinis pravi, Hor. C. 3, 24, 52; cf. irarum, Sil. 3, 77: vitiorum, Juv. 14, 123 al.