Thequintessenceof something is the most perfect or typical example of it.
[formal]
He was the quintessence of all that Eva most deeply loathed. [+ of]
Synonyms: epitome, representation, embodiment, type More Synonyms of quintessence
2. uncountable noun
Thequintessenceof something is the aspect of it which seems to represent its central nature.
[formal]
...an old stone cottage, the quintessence of rural England. [+ of]
More Synonyms of quintessence
quintessence in British English
(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
Word origin
C15: via French from Medieval Latin quinta essentia the fifth essence, translation of Greek pemptē ousia
quintessence in American English
(kwɪnˈtɛsəns)
noun
1.
in ancient and medieval philosophy, the fifth essence, or ultimate substance, of which the heavenly bodies were thought to be composed: distinguished from the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth)
2.
the pure, concentrated essence of anything
3.
the most nearly perfect manifestation of a quality or thing
Derived forms
quintessential (ˌquintesˈsential) (kwɪntɛˈsɛnʃəl)
adjective
Word origin
ME quyntencense < MFr quinte essence < ML quinta essentia
Examples of 'quintessence' in a sentence
quintessence
What sound best evokes the quintessence of Britishness?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It is the quintessence of experiences, not the experiences themselves.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is the quintessence of a gabled Cotswold stone manor house.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It's the quintessence of a free society not to be intimidated into silence.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
A white shirt whose collar peeps out from beneath a jumper is the quintessence of prim.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The quintessence of modern masculinity.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
1 (noun)
Definition
the perfect representation of a quality or state
He was the quintessence of all Eva most deeply loathed.
Synonyms
epitome
The countess was the epitome of sophistication.
representation
embodiment
A baby is the embodiment of vulnerability.
type
essence
archetype
He is the archetype of the successful businessman.
exemplar
They viewed their new building as an exemplar of taste.
typical example
personification
Janis Joplin was the personification of the '60s female rock singer.
2 (noun)
the quintessence of civilized culture
Synonyms
essence
Some claim that Ireland's very essence is expressed through its language.
heart
The heart of the problem is supply and demand.
spirit
the real spirit of the revolutionary movement
soul
With such celebrated clients, she necessarily remains the soul of discretion.
core
He has the ability to get straight to the core of a problem.
marrow
the very marrow of his being
kernel
the kernel of his message
gist
He related the gist of his conversation to us.
distillation
a distillation of the blooms of the Cananga Odorata tree
lifeblood
Coal and steel were the region's lifeblood.
pith
Additional synonyms
in the sense of archetype
Definition
an original model
He is the archetype of the successful businessman.
Synonyms
prime example,
standard,
model,
original,
pattern,
classic,
ideal,
norm,
form,
prototype,
paradigm,
exemplar
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 distillation
Definition
a concentrated essence
a distillation of the blooms of the Cananga Odorata tree
Synonyms
essence,
extract,
elixir,
spirit,
quintessence
Nearby words of
quintessence
quietness
quietus
quilt
quintessence
quintessential
quip
quirk
Synonyms of 'quintessence'
quintessence
Explore 'quintessence' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of embodiment
A baby is the embodiment of vulnerability.
Synonyms
personification,
example,
model,
type,
ideal,
expression,
symbol,
representation,
manifestation,
realization,
incarnation,
paradigm,
epitome,
incorporation,
paragon,
perfect example,
exemplar,
quintessence,
actualization,
exemplification,
reification,
avatar
in the sense of exemplar
Definition
a person or thing to be copied
They viewed their new building as an exemplar of taste.
Synonyms
model,
example,
standard,
ideal,
criterion,
paradigm,
epitome,
paragon
in the sense of gist
Definition
the main point or meaning of something
He related the gist of his conversation to us.
Synonyms
essence,
meaning,
point,
idea,
sense,
import,
core,
substance,
drift,
significance,
marrow,
nub,
pith,
quintessence
in the sense of heart
Definition
the most central part or important part
The heart of the problem is supply and demand.
Synonyms
root,
core,
essence,
centre,
nucleus,
marrow,
hub,
kernel,
crux,
gist,
central part,
nitty-gritty (informal),
nub,
pith,
quintessence
in the sense of kernel
Definition
the central or essential part of something
the kernel of his message
Synonyms
essence,
core,
substance,
gist,
grain,
marrow,
germ,
nub,
pith,
seed
in the sense of lifeblood
Definition
something that is essential for existence, development, or success
Coal and steel were the region's lifeblood.
Synonyms
animating force,
life,
heart,
inspiration,
guts (informal),
essence,
stimulus,
driving force,
vital spark
in the sense of marrow
the very marrow of his being
Synonyms
core,
heart,
spirit,
quick,
soul,
cream,
substance,
essence,
kernel,
gist,
pith,
quintessence
in the sense of personification
Janis Joplin was the personification of the '60s female rock singer.
Synonyms
embodiment,
image,
representation,
re-creation,
portrayal,
incarnation,
likeness,
semblance,
epitome
in the sense of pith
Definition
the essential part
Synonyms
essence,
point,
heart,
meat,
core,
marrow,
kernel,
crux,
gist,
heart of the matter,
nub,
quintessence,
salient point,
the long and the short of it
in the sense of soul
Definition
a person regarded as a good example of some quality
With such celebrated clients, she necessarily remains the soul of discretion.