Essence Definition

ĕsəns
noun
That which makes something what it is; intrinsic, fundamental nature or most important quality (of something); essential being.
Webster's New World
The most important part or aspect of something.
The essence of her argument is that the policy is wrongheaded.
American Heritage
A substance that keeps, in concentrated form, the flavor, fragrance, or other properties of the plant, drug, food, etc. from which it is extracted; essential oil.
Webster's New World
The inward nature of anything, underlying its manifestations; true substance.
Webster's New World
A solution of such a substance or oil in alcohol.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Essence

Noun

Singular:
essence
Plural:
essences

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Essence

Origin of Essence

  • Middle English essencia French essence both from Latin essentia from esse to be from the presumed present participle essēns *essent- (on the model of differentia difference) (from differēns different-) (present participle of differre to differ) created to translate Greek ousiā (from ousa) (feminine present participle of einai to be) es- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From French essence, from Latin essentia (“the being or essence of a thing”), from an artificial formation of esse (“to be”), to translate Ancient Greek οὐσία (ousia, “being”), from ὤν (ōn), present participle of εἰμί (eimi, “I am, exist”).

    From Wiktionary

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