esse
Americannoun
noun
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existence
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essential nature; essence
Usage
What is esse? Esse refers to existence or essence. Esse means that something has a physical form or is not imaginary or fictional. It exists, as in During an existential crisis, a man may question life itself and even doubt the esse of reality. Esse can also mean essence. It is the very nature of something or its defining quality, as in Freedom and choice are the esse of our democracy. Example: The priest gave a sermon in which he said that humanity’s existence, our esse, is a gift from God.
Etymology
Origin of esse
C17: from Latin: to be
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There’s Berkeley’s esse est percipi, the more radical claim that behind appearances lurk more appearances, that objects are made not of atoms but of thoughts.
From Scientific American • Jan. 31, 2014
He showed us what the esse of the papal office is and, underneath, has always been: a simple, loving pastor rather than a crowned autocrat.
From Time Magazine Archive
Faith is a power of itself; fidem rem esse, non scientiam, non opinionem vel imaginationem, said Zwingle.
From Shelburne Essays, Third Series by More, Paul Elmer
I must confess, however, staunch Tory of the most crusted and mediæval type though I be, that all this array of sovereigns in esse or in posse seems very dull, and bores me to yawning-point.
From The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries To-Day and in Days of Old by Harper, Charles G. (Charles George)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
