| Library / English Dictionary |
QUINTESSENCE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The most typical example or representative of a type
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("quintessence" is a kind of...):
example; illustration; instance; representative (an item of information that is typical of a class or group)
Derivation:
quintessential (representing the perfect example of a class or quality)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The purest and most concentrated essence of something
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("quintessence" is a kind of...):
center; centre; core; essence; gist; heart; heart and soul; inwardness; kernel; marrow; meat; nitty-gritty; nub; pith; substance; sum (the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience)
Derivation:
quintessential (representing the perfect example of a class or quality)
Sense 3
Meaning:
The fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
Synonyms:
ether; quintessence
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("quintessence" is a kind of...):
element (one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe)
Domain usage:
archaicism; archaism (the use of an archaic expression)
Derivation:
quintessential (representing the perfect example of a class or quality)
