COMPONENT

component, constituent, element

(noun) an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system; “spare components for cars”; “a component or constituent element of a system”

component, constituent, element, factor, ingredient

(noun) an abstract part of something; “jealousy was a component of his character”; “two constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmony”; “the grammatical elements of a sentence”; “a key factor in her success”; “humor: an effective ingredient of a speech”

part, portion, component part, component, constituent

(noun) something determined in relation to something that includes it; “he wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himself”; “I read a portion of the manuscript”; “the smaller component is hard to reach”; “the animal constituent of plankton”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

component (plural components)

A smaller, self-contained part of a larger entity. Often refers to a manufactured object that is part of a larger device.

Adjective

component (not comparable)

Making up a larger whole; as a component word.

Made up of smaller complete units in combination; as a component stereo.

Source: Wiktionary

Com*po"nent, a. Etym: [L. componens, p. pr. of componere. See Compound, v. t.]

Definition: Serving, or helping, to form; composing; constituting; constituent. The component parts of natural bodies. Sir I. Newton.

Com*po"nent, n.

Definition: A constituent part; an ingredient. Component of force (Mech.), a force which, acting conjointly with one or more forces, produces the effect of a single force or resultant; one of a number of forces into which a single force may be resolved.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition