lélément

Lélément is the French term for "the element," used to denote a fundamental component of a larger system. In everyday language it refers to a basic part or constituent; in scientific, mathematical, and cultural contexts the term carries more precise technical meanings.

Étymology: The noun élément comes from Latin elementum, itself from Greek στοιχεῖον (stoicheion). In French, the word is spelled élément and is used with or without the definite article; l'élément is the common form meaning "the element."

In chemistry, an element is a substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by chemical means. Elements are defined by their atomic number, the number of protons in the nucleus, and they are arranged in the periodic table, currently totaling 118 known elements. Properties such as conductivity, reactivity, and metallicity vary across elements.

In mathematics and logic, an element is a member of a set. The relation of membership is denoted by the symbol ∈, and collections of elements form sets, which can be finite or infinite, defined by a rule or by enumeration.

Beyond science, lélément has historical and cultural uses, including reference to the classical elements (earth, water, air, fire) or to fundamental components of systems, theories, or arguments. The term remains central to discussions of structure, composition, and analysis.