esse

American  

[es-se, es-ee] / ˈɛs sɛ, ˈɛs i /

noun

Latin.

1. being; existence.

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esse British  

/ ˈɛsɪ /

noun

1. existence

2. essential nature; essence

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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

See Examples For:

esse

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

Phainetai moi . . ." as the best one goes in Greek, copied by the Roman poet Catullus in "Ille mi par esse .

From The Guardian ● Sep. 24, 2010

Quod Rex non debet esse sub homine, sed sub Deo et Lege, Coke argued fiercely, meaning that the King himself should be under no man, but under God and the law.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

Si quis de nobis, 0 rex, justitiæ tram item transcendere volu-erit, à te corrigi potest: si verô tu excesseris, quis te corripiet, quis te condemnabit, nisi is qui se pronunciavit esse justitiam?

From The Power Of The Popes by Pierre Claude Fran?ois Daunou