Relating to the basic or essential parts of something; fundamental. Also refers to natural forces or chemical elements.
From Latin 'elementum' meaning 'first principle' or 'rudiment', possibly related to the letters L, M, N. The word evolved from describing basic components of matter to anything fundamentally essential or primitive.
The word connects the ancient Greek concept of earth, air, fire, and water as basic building blocks with modern chemistry's periodic table - both represent humanity's quest to understand the fundamental components of reality. Something 'elemental' touches these primal forces that underlie all existence.
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