/
kəmˈpəʊnənt/
n.
  - a part or element of a larger whole, especially a part of a machine or vehicle.
 - Physics  each of two or more forces, velocities, or other vectors acting in different directions which are together equivalent to a given vector.
 
adj.
 constituting part of a larger whole; constituent.
Derivative
- componentize
 or componentise v. 
Etymology
C17: from L. component-, componere ‘put together’; cf. compound1.