INGRE'DIENT, noun [Latin ingrediens, entering into; ingredior; in and gradior. See Grade.] That which enters into a compound, or is a component part of any compound or mixture. It is particularly applied to the simples in medicinal compositions, but admits of a very general application. We say, an ointment or a decoction is composed of certain ingredients; and Addison wondered that learning was not thought a proper ingredient in the education of a woman of quality or fortune.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI