ingredient

Definitions

in- (into) + gred (the gred- form of gradi, 'to walk') + -ient = something that walks into the mixture. An ingredient literally 'steps into' the dish; figuratively, the ingredients of success are the elements that go into it.

Why It Means This

Ingredient hides the walking root under the gred- spelling. Latin ingredi meant 'to go into, to enter' (in- + gradi). What 'goes into' a pot became the things you put into a recipe. The metaphor extended cleanly: anything that 'goes into' producing a result — an outcome, a mood, a success — can be called an ingredient.

Common Collocations

• 1.main ingredient主要成分
• 2.key ingredient关键成分
• 3.[essential] ingredient[必要的]要素

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Flour is the main ingredient in most breads.

• 2.

  Trust is a key ingredient of any good partnership.