1. [n]  an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system; "spare components for cars"; "a component or constituent element of a system"
2. [n]  something determined in relation to something that includes it; "he wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himself"; "I read a portion of the manuscript"; "the smaller component is hard to reach"

1. \Com*po"nent\ (k[o^]m*p[=o]"nent), a. [L. componens,
   p. pr. of componere. See {Compound}, v. t.]
   Serving, or helping, to form; composing; constituting;
   constituent.
         The component parts of natural bodies.   --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.
   

2. \Com*po"nent\, n.
   A constituent part; an ingredient.
   {Component of force} (Mech.), a force which, acting
      conjointly with one or more forces, produces the effect of
      a single force or resultant; one of a number of forces
      into which a single force may be resolved.
   

An object adhering to a component architecture.