Non-elemental

Describing something that does not belong to, or is not a fundamental or irreducible component of, a specific element or basic building block. This term often applies to concepts, properties, or compositions that are derived from or dependent on multiple elements or factors, rather than being a single, intrinsic substance. It implies complexity, interaction, and often a higher-level organization compared to elemental or fundamental constituents. It's also applicable where the component lacks a fundamental characteristic or quality of something basic.

Non-elemental meaning with examples

• The philosopher explored the concept of 'justice' as a non-elemental principle, arising from societal interactions and moral frameworks, not a basic human instinct. Justice, to this philosopher, was seen as an emergent property of collective agreements, not an inherent quality in individual elements.
• While water's properties are elemental, the taste of lemonade is non-elemental. It's a composite experience created by combining elemental ingredients. It represents a complex mix of sweetness, acidity, and other sensory inputs from separate origins that combine to form a new experience.
• Artistic interpretation is a non-elemental aspect of music, as opposed to the specific notes, rests, and rhythms. The feeling the music stirs in the listener is something created on the receiving end and doesn't exist, or is fully represented, by the elemental sounds alone.
• The social dynamic of a class is a non-elemental aspect of the institution of education. Although, individual teachers and students are elemental components, the emergent pattern of interaction among them is a non-elemental feature of their learning experience.
• Psychological well-being is often regarded as a non-elemental state. Its creation and maintenance depend on the interaction of various factors like physical health, social relationships, and cognitive processes, which are not single elemental components.