building_block (HyperDic hyper-dictionary)

English > 2 senses of the expression *building block*:
NOUN	object	building block, unit	a single undivided natural thing occurring in the composition of something else
artifact	building block	a block of material used in construction work

English > *building block*: 2 senses > noun 1, object
Meaning	A single undivided natural thing occurring in the composition of something else.
Synonym	unit
Parts	part, piece	A portion of a natural object
Narrower	chain, chemical chain	(chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule)
	couple	(physics) something joined by two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines
	group, radical, chemical group	(chemistry) two or more atoms bound together as a single unit and forming part of a molecule
	molecule	(physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound
	unit cell	The smallest group of atoms or molecules whose repetition at regular intervals in three dimensions produces the lattices of a crystal
Broader	thing	A separate and self-contained entity
Spanish	unidad
Catalan	unitat

English > *building block*: 2 senses > noun 2, artifact
Meaning	A block of material used in construction work.
Narrower	ashlar	A rectangular block of hewn stone used for building purposes
	cinder block, clinker block, breeze block	A light concrete building block made with cinder aggregate
	keystone, key, headstone	The central building block at the top of an arch or vault
	voussoir	wedge-shaped stone building block used in constructing an arch or vault
Broader	building material	material used for constructing buildings
Spanish	bloque de construcción

HyperDic: building_block