Variable and Element

noun

• Something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation.
  • usage: "the weather is one variable to be considered"
• A quantity that can assume any of a set of values.
  • synonyms: variable quantity
• A star that varies noticeably in brightness.
  • synonyms: variable star
• A symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity.

adjective

• Liable to or capable of change.
  • usage: "rainfall in the tropics is notoriously variable"; "variable winds"; "variable expenses"
• Marked by diversity or difference.
  • usage: "the varying angles of roof slope"; "nature is infinitely variable"
  • synonyms: varying
• Used of a device) designed so that a property (as e. G. Light) can be varied. (
  • usage: "a variable capacitor"; "variable filters in front of the mercury xenon lights"

• (n.) Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts.
• (n.) That which is variable; that which varies or is subject to change.
• (a.) Liable to vary; too susceptible of change; mutable; fickle; unsteady; inconstant; as, the affections of men are variable; passions are variable.
• (n.) A quantity which may increase or decrease; a quantity which admits of an infinite number of values in the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the equation x2 - y2 = R2, x and y are variables.
• (a.) Having the capacity of varying or changing; capable of alternation in any manner; changeable; as, variable winds or seasons; a variable quantity.
• (n.) A shifting wind or one that varies in force.

Variable is an element in a model. For example, in the model RS&Pt+1 = a + b Tbill t + et, where RS&Pt+1 is the return on the S&P in month t+1 and Tbill is the Tbill return at month t, both RS&P and Tbill are "variables" because they change through time; i. E., they are not constant.

noun

• An abstract part of something.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: component, constituent, factor, ingredient
• 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.
  • usage: "spare components for cars"; "a component or constituent element of a system"
  • synonyms: component, constituent
• Any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter.
  • synonyms: chemical element
• The most favorable environment for a plant or animal.
  • usage: "water is the element of fishes"
• One of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe.
  • usage: "the alchemists believed that there were four elements"
• The situation in which you are happiest and most effective.
  • usage: "in your element"
• A straight line that generates a cylinder or cone. .

• (n.) One of the smallest natural divisions of the organism, as a blood corpuscle, a muscular fiber.
• (n.) One of the simple substances, as supposed by the ancient philosophers; one of the imaginary principles of matter.
• (n.) Sometimes a curve or surface or volume is considered as described by a moving point or curve or surface, the latter being at any instant called an element of the former.
• (n.) The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in philosophy, science or art; rudiments; as, the elements of geometry or of music.
• (n.) An infinitesimal part of anything of the same nature as the entire magnitude considered; as, in a solid an element may be the infinitesimal portion between any two planes that are separated an indefinitely small distance. In the calculus, element is sometimes used as synonymous with differential.
• (n.) One of the terms in an algebraic expression.
• (n.) One of the necessary data or values upon which a system of calculations depends or general conclusions are based; as, the elements of a planet's orbit.
• (n.) One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.
• (v.t.) To constitute; to make up with elements.
• (n.) The bread and wine used in the eucharist or Lord's supper.
• (n.) The elements of the alchemists were salt, sulphur, and mercury.
• (n.) The whole material composing the world.
• (n.) One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly called cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms or their tissues and organs, are composed.
• (n.) The four elements were, air, earth, water, and fire.
• (n.) One of the ultimate parts which are variously combined in anything; as, letters are the elements of written language; hence, also, a simple portion of that which is complex, as a shaft, lever, wheel or any simple part in a machine; one of the essential ingredients of any mixture; a constituent part; as, quartz, feldspar, and mica are the elements of granite.
• (n.) One out of several parts combined in a system of aggregation, when each is of the nature of the whole; as, a single cell is an element of the honeycomb.
• (n.) Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question; as, the elements of a plan.
• (v.t.) To compound of elements or first principles.
• (n.) the conditions and movements of the air.
• (n.) One of the ultimate, undecomposable constituents of any kind of matter. Specifically: (Chem.) A substance which cannot be decomposed into different kinds of matter by any means at present employed; as, the elements of water are oxygen and hydrogen.

(DoD) An organization formed around a specific function within a designated directorate of a joint force commander's headquarters. The subordinate components of an element usually are functional cells.