quintessence

[kwin-tes-uhns]

noun

1. the pure and concentrated essence of a substance.

2. the most perfect embodiment of something.

3. (in ancient and medieval philosophy) the fifth essence or element, ether, supposed to be the constituent matter of the heavenly bodies, the others being air, fire, earth, and water.

quintessence

/ kwɪnˈtɛsəns /

noun

1. the most typical representation of a quality, state, etc

2. an extract of a substance containing its principle in its most concentrated form

3. (in ancient and medieval philosophy) ether, the fifth and highest essence or element after earth, water, air, and fire, which was thought to be the constituent matter of the heavenly bodies and latent in all things

Other Word Forms

• quintessential adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quintessence¹

1400–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin quīnta essentia fifth essence

Word History and Origins

Origin of quintessence¹

C15: via French from Medieval Latin quinta essentia the fifth essence, translation of Greek pemptē ousia

Example Sentences

He was the quintessence of Regular Guy, a big friendly dog of a person, with some of the sadness that big, friendly dogs can carry.

From Los Angeles Times

Some theorists describe the force as a field or fluid pervading the whole universe and give it the name quintessence.

From Science Magazine

For 58 years--an eternity in this town--Chasen’s was the quintessence of Hollywood, as sublime as the expensive caviar that is on the menu and as low-brow as the world-famous chili that is not.

From Los Angeles Times

And her longevity feels like a quest in the direction of excellence, as well as a pursuit of her own quintessence.

From Washington Post

An informal shot of Moss and Naomi Campbell, smoking in the Meatpacking district, is the quintessence of cool.

From New York Times

Related Words

• apotheosis