component vs item

component

noun
  • A smaller, self-contained part of a larger entity. Often refers to a manufactured object that is part of a larger device. 

adj
  • Made up of smaller complete units in combination; as a component stereo. 

  • Making up a larger whole; as a component word. 

item

noun
  • A distinct physical object. 

  • A question on a test, which may include its answers. 

  • Two people who are having a romantic or sexual relationship with each other. 

  • A line of text having a legal or other meaning; a separate particular in an account. 

  • An object that can be picked up for later use. 

  • A short article in a newspaper. 

  • A matter for discussion in an agenda. 

adv
  • likewise 

verb
  • To make a note of. 

How often have the words component and item occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )