elec|tro n|ic pu b|lish|ing N‑UNCOUNT Electronic publishing is the publishing of documents in a form that can be read on a computer, for example as a CD-ROM.
elec|tron|ics / I lektrɒ n I ks/ N‑UNCOUNT Electronics is the technology of using transistors and silicon chips, especially in devices such as radios, televisions, and computers. □ …Europe's three main electronics companies.
ele c|tron|ic ta g|ging N‑UNCOUNT Electronic tagging is a system in which a criminal or suspected criminal has an electronic device attached to them which enables the police to know if they leave a particular area. [BRIT ]
el|egant ◆◇◇ /e l I gənt/
1 ADJ If you describe a person or thing as elegant , you mean that they are pleasing and graceful in appearance or style. □ Patricia looked beautiful and elegant as always. □ …an elegant restaurant. ● el|egance N‑UNCOUNT □ …the princess's understated elegance. ● el|egant|ly ADV □ …a tall, elegantly dressed man with a mustache.
2 ADJ If you describe a piece of writing, an idea, or a plan as elegant , you mean that it is simple, clear, and clever. □ The document impressed me with its elegant simplicity. ● el|egant|ly ADV □ …an elegantly simple idea. SYNONYMS elegant ADJ 1
stylish: …a very attractive and very stylish woman of 27.
sophisticated: Claude was a charming, sophisticated companion.
refined: …refined and well-dressed ladies.
chic: Her gown was very French and very chic.
gracefuclass="underline" …graceful ballerinas.
el|egi|ac /e l I dʒa I ək/ ADJ Something that is elegiac expresses or shows sadness. [LITERARY ] □ The music has a dreamy, elegiac quality.
el|egy /e l I dʒi/ (elegies ) N‑COUNT An elegy is a sad poem, often about someone who has died. □ …a touching elegy for a lost friend.
el|ement ◆◆◇ /e l I mənt/ (elements )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The different elements of something are the different parts it contains. □ [+ of ] The exchange of prisoners of war was one of the key elements of the U.N.'s peace plan.
2 N‑COUNT A particular element of a situation, activity, or process is an important quality or feature that it has or needs. □ Fitness has now become an important element in our lives.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] When you talk about elements within a society or organization, you are referring to groups of people who have similar aims, beliefs, or habits. □ …criminal elements within the security forces. □ …the hooligan element.
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If something has an element of a particular quality or emotion, it has a certain amount of this quality or emotion. □ [+ of ] These reports clearly contain elements of propaganda.
5 N‑COUNT An element is a substance such as gold, oxygen, or carbon that consists of only one type of atom.
6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The element in an electric fire or water heater is the metal part which changes the electric current into heat.
7 N‑PLURAL You can refer to the weather, especially wind and rain, as the elements . □ The area where most refugees are waiting is exposed to the elements.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone is in their element , you mean that they are in a situation they enjoy. □ My stepmother was in her element, organizing everything. SYNONYMS element NOUN 1
component: The management plan has four main components.
part: Respect is a very important part of any relationship.
feature: Patriotic songs have long been a feature of Kuwaiti life.
factor: Physical activity is an important factor in maintaining fitness.
aspect: Climate and weather affect every aspect of our lives.
ingredient: I think that is one of the major ingredients in his success.
el|ement|al /e l I me nt ə l/ ADJ Elemental feelings and types of behaviour are simple, basic, and forceful. [LITERARY ] □ …the elemental life they would be living in this new colony.
el|emen|ta|ry /e l I me ntri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is elementary is very simple and basic. □ …elementary computer skills.
el|eme n|ta|ry school (elementary schools ) N‑VAR An elementary school is a school where children are taught for the first six or sometimes eight years of their education. [mainly AM ] □ …the move from elementary school to middle school or junior high.
el|ephant /e l I fənt/ (elephants )
1 N‑COUNT An elephant is a very large animal with a long, flexible nose called a trunk, which it uses to pick up things. Elephants live in India and Africa.
2 → see also white elephant
el|ephan|tine /e l I fæ nta I n/ ADJ If you describe something as elephantine , you mean that you think it is large and clumsy. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …elephantine clumsiness. □ His legs were elephantine.
el|evate /e l I ve I t/ (elevates , elevating , elevated )
1 VERB [usu passive] When someone or something achieves a more important rank or status, you can say that they are elevated to it. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + to ] He was elevated to the post of prime minister. ● el|eva|tion /e l I ve I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] □ [+ of/to ] The elevation of Pierre d'Aubusson to the rank of cardinal was applauded throughout Europe.
2 VERB If you elevate something to a higher status, you consider it to be better or more important than it really is. □ [V n + to ] Don't elevate your superiors to superstar status.