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essential
essential definition
es·sen·tial (ə sen′s̸həl, i-)
adjective
- of or constituting the intrinsic, fundamental nature of something; basic; inherent an essential difference
- absolute; complete; perfect
- absolutely necessary; indispensable; requisite
- containing, or having the properties of, a concentrated extract of a plant, drug, food, etc. an essential oil
- Biochem. needed for life or health but not synthesized within the body, as an amino acid or vitamin that must be consumed
Etymology: ME essencial < LL essentialis: see essence
noun
something necessary or fundamental; indispensable, inherent, or basic feature or principle
Related Forms:
- essentially es·sen′·tially adverb
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