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1. (n.) quintessence
the pure and concentrated essence of a substance.
2. quintessence
the most perfect embodiment of something.
3. quintessence
(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.
Etymology: (1400–50; ME < ML quīnta essentia fifth essence)
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| Definition of 'quintessence' |
Princeton's WordNet |
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1. (noun) quintessence, ether
the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
2. (noun) quintessence
the purest and most concentrated essence of something
3. (noun) quintessence
the most typical example or representative of a type
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| Definition of 'quintessence' |
Webster Dictionary |
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1. (noun) quintessence
the fifth or last and highest essence or power in a natural body. See Ferment oils, under Ferment
2. (noun) quintessence
hence: An extract from anything, containing its rarest virtue, or most subtle and essential constituent in a small quantity; pure or concentrated essence
3. (verb) quintessence
to distil or extract as a quintessence; to reduce to a quintessence
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