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What is a word that means "parts of a whole" and implies it can be combined with others of the same word to build something greater?

For example "blocks", "bricks", and "pieces" are examples I thought of. They are decent because they are abstract or general enough to refer to many different things that may be "pieces of a whole". I am looking for other words that are also general, and clearly communicate that they are an object alone, but can be assembled into something greater.

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  • Good advice ermanen, thanks for taking the time to write it. Will update the answer accordingly.
    – Donny P
    Jun 6, 2014 at 22:04
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    "Part" is what you're looking for.
    – TylerH
    Jun 6, 2014 at 22:35
  • Please clarify what single answer would satisfy the question. StackExchange is for questions that have exactly one correct answer.
    – bignose
    Jun 7, 2014 at 3:22
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    I'm a fan of "moiety"
    – Bandrami
    Jun 8, 2014 at 10:31

9 Answers 9

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constituent (n)

one of the parts that form something

It is used as an adjective also:

serving to form, compose, or make up a unit or whole : component < constituent parts >

Its synonyms component and integral can be used also depending on the context.

Note: Integral is a bit tricky though. As a noun, it means the whole; but as an adjective, it has the connotation of the part of a whole. It is usually used with part.

of or belonging as an essential part of the whole; necessary to completeness; constituent: an integral part.

You also asked for "an object alone, but can be assembled into something greater."

Thus, I'm going to say synergistic element. Because synergy is:

the interaction of multiple elements in a system to produce an effect different from or greater than the sum of their individual effects.

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  • Like, one of the parts that form sentences.
    – John Lawler
    Jun 6, 2014 at 19:56
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Try Component or Components

As in "component parts"

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    Hi Jon, 'component' looks fine but it is already mentioned in the answer posted by 'ermanem'.
    – user66974
    Jun 6, 2014 at 20:57
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    @Josh61- There, component was used in a definition supporting constituent as an answer, not offered as a answer outright. I think Jon's answer is fine.
    – Jim
    Jun 6, 2014 at 21:28
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I would call them building blocks or units.

a basic unit from which something is built up.

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Try 'element' :

element (plural elements)

"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."

http://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/element

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"Cog", as in a cog in a machine.

Not as naturally general as "part", but still has connotations that it is an object that is part of a greater thing, and the term is often used metaphorically.

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The word accretion an added part; addition and can be used for organic or inorganic growth/enlargement to form a whole concept or thing

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You already have the noun “part”. It carries the connotations of “can be combined with other [parts] to build something greater”.

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Set members may be a term close to filling the need you described.

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How about a fragment?

a small part broken off or separated from something.
"small fragments of pottery"

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  • This adds to or slightly shifts the meaning, Bloodcount.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Jun 7, 2014 at 12:23

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