essential

essential definition - medical

es·sen·tial (ĭ-sĕnˈshəl)

adjective
  1. Constituting or being part of the essence of something; inherent.
  2. Basic or indispensable; necessary.
  3. Of, relating to, or being a dysfunctional condition or a disease whose cause is unknown.
  4. Of, relating to, or being a substance that is required for normal functioning but cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore must be included in the diet.
noun
  1. Something fundamental.
  2. Something necessary or indispensable.

Related Forms:

  • es·senˌti·alˈi·ty (-shē-ălˈĭ-tē), es·senˈtial·ness noun

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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