of the 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.]

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

of the essence - of the greatest importance; "the all-important subject of disarmament"; "crucial information"; "in chess cool nerves are of the essence" all important, all-important, crucial, essential important, of import - of great significance or value; "important people"; "the important questions of the day"