A small, individual piece of information in the standard.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
element (noun)1.
a) any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe
b) weather conditions , especially violent or severe weather - battling the elements
c) the state or sphere natural or suited to a person or thing - at school she was in her element
2.
a constituent part as
a) the simplest principles of a subject of study - rudiments
b) (1) a part of a geometric magnitude - an infinitesimal element of volume
(2) a generator of a geometric figure , also a line or line segment contained in the surface of a cone or cylinder
(3) a basic member of a mathematical or logical class or set
(4) one of the individual entries in a mathematical matrix or determinant
c) a distinct group within a larger group or community - the criminal element in the city
d) (1) one of the necessary data or values on which calculations or conclusions are based
(2) one of the factors determining the outcome of a process
e) any of the fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
f) a distinct part of a composite device
g) a subdivision of a military unit
3.
the bread and wine used in the Eucharist
