Quintessence

English

Noun

Quintessence (uncountable)

1. A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something.
2. A pure substance.
3. The essence in a thing that in its purest and most concentrated form.
4. (alchemy) The fifth alchemical element, or essence, after earth, air, fire, and water

Synonyms

• paradigm

Derived terms

• quintessential
• quintessentially

Related terms

• ether

Thesaurus

archetype, axiom, beau ideal, bottom, center, champion, choice, chosen, classic, concentrate, concentration, core, cream, decoction, distillate, distillation, elect, elite, elixir, embodiment, epitome, essence, essential, essentiality, exemplar, extract, extraction, fabric, fat, flower, focus, fundamental, gist, gravamen, heart, hypostasis, ideal, infusion, inner essence, kernel, last word, marrow, masterpiece, masterwork, material, matter, meat, medium, mirror, model, nonesuch, nonpareil, nub, nucleus, nuts and bolts, optimum, paragon, pattern of perfection, personification, pick, pith, postulate, prime, principle, prize, prototype, purification, queen, quid, quiddity, quintessential, refinement, sap, select, soul, spirit, stuff, substance, sum and substance, superlative, the best, the best ever, the nitty-gritty, the tops, the very best, ultimate, very model, virtuality

Etymology

Middle English < Middle French < Medieval Latin quinta essentia "fifth essence".

Pronunciation

• enPR: kwĭn-tĕsʹ-əns, IPA: /kwɪn.ˈtɛs.əns/, SAMPA: /kwIn."tEs.@ns/

Translations

most perfect example of its type

Galician: quintaesencia (gl) f.

pure substance

Galician: quintaesencia (gl) f.

Georgian: კვინტესენცია (ka) (kvintesents’ia)

essence in its most pure and concentrated form

Galician: quintaesencia (gl) f.

Georgian: კვინტესენცია (ka) (kvintesents’ia)

References

• quintessence in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “quintessence” in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001