Used as a general name for earth, water, air, and fire; originally in sense 1, to which many of the earlier instances have explicit reference; now…

Alchemy. Each of the four substances mercury, sulphur, sal ammoniac, and orpiment. Now historical.

Chemistry. Originally: †any of the four elements (earth, fire, water, and air) believed to constitute matter; a material substance made from one…

In plural. Original or fundamental elements. Obsolete.

Alchemy. A substance regarded as the male principle or parent of metals, usually identified with sulphur (cf. sulphur, n. 2a). Now historical.

Chemistry and Alchemy. Originally: each of three simple substances of which all bodies were believed to be composed and which were thought to…

Beginning, commencement; origin, source; first principle, element; fundamental truth; = principle, n. (in various senses). Now rare.