The essenceof something is its basic and most important characteristic which gives it its individual identity.
The essence of consultation is to listen to, and take account of, the views of thoseconsulted. [+ of]
...the essence of life. [+ of]
Others claim that Ireland's very essence is expressed through the language.
1.
See in essence
2.
See of the essence
2. variable noun
Essence is a very concentrated liquid that is used for flavouring food or for its smell.
...a few drops of vanilla essence.
...exotic bath essences.
Synonyms: concentrate, spirits, extract, elixir More Synonyms of essence
More Synonyms of essence
essence in British English
(ˈɛsəns)
noun
1.
the characteristic or intrinsic feature of a thing, which determines its identity; fundamental nature
2.
the most distinctive element of a thing
the essence of a problem
3.
a perfect or complete form of something, esp a person who typifies an abstract quality
he was the essence of gentility
4. philosophy
a.
the unchanging and unchangeable nature of something which is necessary to its being the thing it is; its necessary properties
Compare accident (sense 4)
b.
the properties in virtue of which something is called by its name
c.
the nature of something as distinct from, and logically prior to, its existence
5. theology
an immaterial or spiritual entity
6.
a.
the constituent of a plant, usually an oil, alkaloid, or glycoside, that determines its chemical or pharmacological properties
b.
an alcoholic solution of such a substance
7.
a substance, usually a liquid, containing the properties of a plant or foodstuff in concentrated form
vanilla essence
8. a rare word for perfume
9. in essence
10. of the essence
Word origin
C14: from Medieval Latin essentia, from Latin: the being (of something), from esse to be
essence in American English
(ˈɛsəns)
noun
1.
something that is, or exists; entity
2.
that which makes something what it is; intrinsic, fundamental nature or most importantquality (of something); essential being
3.
a.
a substance that keeps, in concentrated form, the flavor, fragrance, or other properties of the plant, drug, food, etc. from which it is extracted; essential oil
b.
a solution of such a substance or oil in alcohol
c.
a perfume
4. Philosophy
a.
the inward nature of anything, underlying its manifestations; true substance
b.
the indispensable conceptual characteristics and relations of anything
Idioms:
in essence
of the essence
Word origin
ME < OFr & L essentia < esse, to be: for IE base see is1
Examples of 'essence' in a sentence
essence
The Harshini studied life and then captured its essence in their art.
Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)
Arakny had found Wide Mountain Mother awake and alert, and had conveyed to her the essence of what was known about walkers.
Tepper, Sheri S. A PLAGUE OF ANGELS (2001)
The Citadel was ablaze with light, adding its own unique essence to the celebrations.
Jennifer Fallon HARSHINI (2001)
In other languages
essence
British English: essence NOUN
The essence of something is its basic and most important characteristic which gives it its individual identity.
The essence of consultation is to listen to, and take account of, the views of those consulted.
American English: essence
Brazilian Portuguese: essência
Chinese: 本质
European Spanish: esencia
French: essence
German: Wesen
Italian: essenza
Japanese: 本質
Korean: 본질
European Portuguese: essência
Latin American Spanish: esencia
All related terms of 'essence'
in essence
You use in essence to emphasize that you are talking about the most important or central aspect of an idea , situation, or event.
almond essence
a concentrated liquid obtained from almonds , used in cooking and baking
vanilla essence
a natural extract obtained from the pods of the vanilla plant and used to flavour sweet dishes
of the essence
If you say that something is of the essence , you mean that it is absolutely necessary in order for a particular action to be successful .
essence of violets
an alcoholic solution derived from violets , used as perfume
essence of bergamot
a fragrant essential oil from the fruit rind of this plant, used in perfumery and some teas (including Earl Grey)
Chinese translation of 'essence'
essence
(ˈɛsns)
n
(u) (= true nature) 本质(質) (běnzhì)
(c/u) (Culin) 香精 (xiāngjīng) (种(種), zhǒng)
in essence (frm) 基本上 (jīběnshang)
speed is of the essence (frm) 速度是至关(關)重要的 (sùdù shì zhìguān zhòngyào de)
1 (noun)
Definition
the most important and distinctive feature of something, which determines its identity
Some claim that Ireland's very essence is expressed through its language.
Synonyms
fundamental nature
nature
being
The music seemed to touch his very being.
life
He sucks the life out of the room.
meaning
I became more aware of the symbols and their meanings.
heart
The heart of the problem is supply and demand.
spirit
the real spirit of the revolutionary movement
principle
soul
Such memories stirred in his soul.
core
He has the ability to get straight to the core of a problem.
substance
The substance of his discussions doesn't really matter.
significance
entity
key periods of national or cultural entity and development
bottom line
essential part
kernel
the kernel of his message
crux
He said the crux of the matter was economic policy.
lifeblood
Coal and steel were the region's lifeblood.
pith
quintessence
the quintessence of civilized culture
basic characteristic
quiddity
2 (noun)
Definition
a concentrated liquid used to flavour food
Add a few drops of vanilla essence.
Synonyms
concentrate
spirits
extract
fragrances taken from plant extracts
elixir
For severe teething pains, try an infant paracetamol elixir.
tincture
a few drops of tincture of iodine
distillate
phrase
See in essence
idiom
See of the essence
Additional synonyms
in the sense of being
Definition
essential nature
The music seemed to touch his very being.
Synonyms
soul,
spirit,
presence,
substance,
creature,
essence,
organism,
entity
in the sense of core
Definition
the central or essential part of something
He has the ability to get straight to the core of a problem.
Synonyms
heart,
essence,
nucleus,
kernel,
crux,
gist,
nub,
pith
in the sense of crux
Definition
a crucial or decisive point
He said the crux of the matter was economic policy.