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essentially

Variant of essential

adjective

  1. of or constituting the intrinsic, fundamental nature of something; basic; inherent: an essential difference
  2. absolute; complete; perfect
  3. absolutely necessary; indispensable; requisite
  4. containing, or having the properties of, a concentrated extract of a plant, drug, food, etc.: an essential oil
  5. Biochem. needed for life or health but not synthesized within the body, as an amino acid or vitamin that must be consumed

noun

something necessary or fundamental; indispensable, inherent, or basic feature or principle

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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