I.a first principle, element (cf.: initium, principium, exordium, primordium); Gr. στοιχεῖον.
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.—
II. Transf.
A. The alphabet, Suet. Caes. 56 (cf. Prisc. 538 P.).—More freq.,
B. Transf., the first principles, rudiments, in the arts and sciences (cf. doctrina, praecepta).
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. In partic.
a. The ten categories of Aristotle, Quint. 3, 6, 23 sq. Spald.—*
b. Meton., elementary scholars, beginners: vix se prima elementa ad spem effingendae eloquentiae audebunt, Quint. 1, 2, 26.—
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.
