Word Study
ingredient
CIDE DICTIONARY
ingredient, n. [F. ingrédient, L. ingrediens, -entis, entering into, p. pr. of ingredi, p. p. ingressus, to go into, to enter; pref. in- in + gradi to walk, go. See Grade.].
That which enters into a compound, or is a component part of any combination, recipe, or mixture; an element; a constituent. [1913 Webster]
"By way of analysis we may proceed from compounds to ingredients." [1913 Webster]
"Water is the chief ingredient in all the animal fluids and solids." [1913 Webster]
ingredient, a.
Entering as, or forming, an ingredient or component part. [1913 Webster]
"Acts where no sin is ingredient." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
ingredient, n. a component part or element in a recipe, mixture, or combination.
Etymology
ME f. L ingredi ingress- enter (as IN-(2), gradi step)
THESAURUS
ingredient
adjunct, appurtenance, aspect, census, circumstance, component, composition, constituent, constituents, content, contents, detail, divisions, element, elements, factor, feature, fixings, guts, index, ingredients, innards, insides, integrant, inventory, item, items, list, makings, part, part and parcel, parts, specialty, wholeROGET THESAURUS
ingredient
Component
N component, component part, integral part, integrant part, element, constituent, ingredient, leaven, part and parcel, contents, appurtenance, feature, member, personnel, forming, inclusive.For further exploring for "ingredient" in Webster Dictionary Online