essence

es·sence  (sns)

n.

1. The intrinsic or indispensable properties that serve to characterize or identify something.

2. The most important ingredient; the crucial element.

3. The inherent, unchanging nature of a thing or class of things.

4.

a. An extract that has the fundamental properties of a substance in concentrated form.

b. Such an extract in a solution of alcohol.

c. A perfume or scent.

5. One that has or shows an abundance of a quality as if highly concentrated: a neighbor who is the essence of hospitality.

6. Something that exists, especially a spiritual or incorporeal entity.

Idioms:

in essence

By nature; essentially: He is in essence a reclusive sort.

of the essence

Of the greatest importance; crucial: Time is of the essence.

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[Middle English essencia and French essence, both from Latin essentia, from esse, to be, from the presumed present participle *essns, *essent- (on the model of differentia, difference, from differns, different-), created to translate Greek ousi (from ousa); see es- in Indo-European roots.]

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essence

Noun

1. the most important and distinctive feature of something, which determines its identity

2. a concentrated liquid used to flavour food

3. in essence essentially

4. of the essence vitally important [Latin esse to be]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	essence - the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story" heart and soul, inwardness, nitty-gritty, pith, substance, gist, kernel, nub, meat, core, sum, marrow, heart, center, centre cognitive content, mental object, content - the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned bare bones - (plural) the most basic facts or elements; "he told us only the bare bones of the story" hypostasis - (metaphysics) essential nature or underlying reality haecceity, quiddity - the essence that makes something the kind of thing it is and makes it different from any other quintessence - the purest and most concentrated essence of something stuff - a critically important or characteristic component; "suspense is the very stuff of narrative"
	2.	essence - any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted substance - the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists; "DNA is the substance of our genes"
	3.	essence - the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work gist, burden, effect, core meaning, signification, import, significance - the message that is intended or expressed or signified; "what is the meaning of this sentence"; "the significance of a red traffic light"; "the signification of Chinese characters"; "the import of his announcement was ambiguous"
	4.	essence - a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor perfume cologne water, eau de cologne, cologne - a perfumed liquid made of essential oils and alcohol pachouli, patchouli, patchouly - a heavy perfume made from the patchouli plant perfumery - perfumes in general potpourri - a jar of mixed flower petals and spices used as perfume rose water - perfume consisting of water scented with oil of roses toilet articles, toiletry - artifacts used in making your toilet (washing and taking care of your body) eau de toilette, toilet water - a perfumed liquid lighter than cologne

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essence

noun 1. fundamental nature, nature, being, life, meaning, heart, spirit, principle, soul, core, substance, significance, entity, bottom line, essential part, kernel, crux, lifeblood, pith, quintessence, basic characteristic, quiddity

noun 2. concentrate, spirits, extract, elixir, tincture, distillate >> in essence essentially, materially, virtually, basically, fundamentally, in effect, substantially, in the main, to all intents and purposes, in substance of the essence vitally important, essential, vital, critical, crucial, key, indispensable, of the utmost importance

Translations

essence [ˈɛsns] n → esencia;

in essence → esencialmente;

speed is of the essence → es esencial hacerlo con la mayor prontitud

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essence [ˈɛsns] n → essence f;

(Culin) → extrait m;

in essence → en substance;

speed is of the essence → l'essentiel, c'est la rapidité

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essence [ˈɛsns] n → Wesen nt;

(Culin) → Essenz f;

in essence → im Wesentlichen;

speed is of the essence → Geschwindigkeit ist von entscheidender Bedeutung

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essence [ˈɛsns] n → essenza;

in essence → in sostanza;

speed is of the essence → la velocità è di estrema importanza