Essence
['es(ə)ns] or ['ɛsns]
Definition
(noun.) any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted.
Edited by Charlene--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The constituent elementary notions which constitute a complex notion, and must be enumerated to define it; sometimes called the nominal essence.
(n.) The constituent quality or qualities which belong to any object, or class of objects, or on which they depend for being what they are (distinguished as real essence); the real being, divested of all logical accidents; that quality which constitutes or marks the true nature of anything; distinctive character; hence, virtue or quality of a thing, separated from its grosser parts.
(n.) Constituent substance.
(n.) A being; esp., a purely spiritual being.
(n.) The predominant qualities or virtues of a plant or drug, extracted and refined from grosser matter; or, more strictly, the solution in spirits of wine of a volatile or essential oil; as, the essence of mint, and the like.
(n.) Perfume; odor; scent; or the volatile matter constituting perfume.
(v. t.) To perfume; to scent.
Edited by Greg
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Nature, substance, quintessence, essential part.[2]. Extract, volatile part, rectified portion.[3]. Odor, perfume, scent.[4]. Being, existence, entity.
v. a. Perfume, scent, odor.
Editor: Megan
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Being, life, entity, nature, substance
ANT:Accident, property, additament, garb, clothing, surroundings
Edited by Denny
Definition
n. the inner distinctive nature of anything: the qualities which make any object what it is: a being: the extracted virtues of any drug: the solution in spirits of wine of a volatile or essential oil: a perfume.—adj. Essen′tial relating to or containing the essence: necessary to the existence of a thing: indispensable or important in the highest degree: highly rectified: pure.—n. something necessary: a leading principle.—n. Essential′ity the quality of being essential: an essential part.—adv. Essen′tially.—n. Essen′tialness.
Checked by Evan
Examples
- It is of the very essence, for instance, of envy to be uneasy and disquieted. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- It is no valid objection that science as yet throws no light on the far higher problem of the essence or origin of life. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Well, if so much of unholy force can arise from below, may not an equal efflux of sacred essence descend one day from above? Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Deity unquestioned, thine essence foils decay! Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- And he added: So far as the central essence of this feeling goes, no healthy minded person, it seems to me, can help to some degree partaking of it. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Heat itself, its essence, is motion and nothing else . Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- The soft hair whose locks were loosened she rearranged, the damp brow she refreshed with a cool, fragrant essence. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- It must therefore touch it intimately, and in its whole essence, SECUNDUM SE, TOTA, ET TOTALITER; which is the very definition of penetration. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Conformity, not transformation, is the essence of education. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- The uneasiness and satisfaction are not only inseparable from vice and virtue, but constitute their very nature and essence. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- If self-denial be the essence of virtue, then it follows that the man who is naturally temperate, just, &c. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- Is not general incivility the very essence of love? Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- I'm inclined to think that laziness is what your old Dr. Botherem, up in Vermont, used to call the 'essence of moral evil. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- To maintain capacity for such education is the essence of morals. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- And, conversely, that which has less of truth will also have less of essence? Plato. The Republic.
- They ain't Pills, or Hair-Washes, or Invigorating Nervous Essences, to be puffed in that way! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Assuming that the souls of men and women were visible essences, you could fancy the colour of Eustacia's soul to be flamelike. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- A multitude whose tendencies could be perceived, though not its essences. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- They made tinctures, essences, and syrups. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Editor: Margie