Lewis & Short

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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.

  1. 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.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. The alphabet, Suet. Caes. 56 (cf. Prisc. 538 P.).
      More freq.,
    2. B. Transf., the first principles, rudiments, in the arts and sciences (cf. doctrina, praecepta).
      1. 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, 28 fin.; cf. id. de Or. 2, 11, 45; Quint. 2, 3, 13; Ov. M. 9, 719 et saep.
      2. 2. In partic.
        1. a. The ten categories of Aristotle, Quint. 3, 6, 23 sq. Spald.
        2. * b. Meton., elementary scholars, beginners: vix se prima elementa ad spem effingendae eloquentiae audebunt, Quint. 1, 2, 26.
    3. 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.