quintessence

American  

[kwin-tes-uhns] / kwɪnˈtɛs əns /

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.

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quintessence British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• quintessential adjective

Etymology

Origin of quintessence

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

Example Sentences

Can the “paragon of animals,” in Hamlet’s brooding formulation, really amount to nothing more than a “quintessence of dust”?

From Los Angeles Times

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

The key to quintessence is that it changes in value through cosmic history and can be attractive or repulsive.

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

Related Words

• apotheosis