Definitions for quintessencekwɪnˈtɛs əns
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
quin•tes•sencekwɪnˈtɛs əns(n.)
the pure and concentrated essence of a substance.
the most perfect embodiment of something.
(in ancient and medieval philosophy) the fifth essence or element, ether, supposed to be with air, fire, earth, and water the constituent matter of the heavenly bodies.
Category: Philosphy
Origin of quintessence:
1400–50; ME < ML quīnta essentia fifth essence
quin`tes•sen′tial•ly(adv.)
Princeton's WordNet
quintessence, ether(noun)
the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
quintessence(noun)
the purest and most concentrated essence of something
quintessence(noun)
the most typical example or representative of a type
Wiktionary
quintessence(Noun)
A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something.
quintessence(Noun)
A pure substance.
quintessence(Noun)
The essence in a thing that in its purest and most concentrated form.
quintessence(Noun)
The fifth alchemical element, or essence, after earth, air, fire, and water
Webster Dictionary
Quintessence(noun)
the fifth or last and highest essence or power in a natural body. See Ferment oils, under Ferment
Quintessence(noun)
hence: An extract from anything, containing its rarest virtue, or most subtle and essential constituent in a small quantity; pure or concentrated essence
Quintessence(verb)
to distil or extract as a quintessence; to reduce to a quintessence
Citation
Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:
"quintessence." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2013. Web. 19 Jun 2013. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/quintessence>.