quintessence
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin quinta essentia "fifth essence".
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
quintessence (uncountable)
- A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something.
- A pure substance.
- The essence in a thing that in its purest and most concentrated form.
- (alchemy) The fifth alchemical element, or essence, after earth, air, fire, and water
[edit] Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:model
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Translations
most perfect example of its type
pure substance
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essence in its most pure and concentrated form
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[edit] References
- quintessence in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- “quintessence” in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001
- “quintessence” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.
