quintessential

Variant of quintessence

quintessence definition

quintes·sence (kwin tes′əns)

noun

  1. in ancient and medieval philosophy, the fifth essence, or ultimate substance, of which the heavenly bodies were thought to be composed: distinguished from the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth)
  2. the pure, concentrated essence of anything
  3. the most nearly perfect manifestation of a quality or thing

Etymology: ME quyntencense < MFr quinte essence < ML quinta essentia

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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