1. The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
   - kernel, substance, core, center [US], centre [Brit, Cdn], gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty 
2. Any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted 
3. The central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
   - effect, burden, core, gist 
4. A toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odour
   - perfume

Derived forms: essences

See also: essential

Type of: cognitive content, content, import, meaning, mental object, significance, signification, substance, toilet articles, toiletry

Encyclopedia: Essence

• scale
• scale down
• scale factor
• scale fern
• scale insect
• scale leaf
• scale moss
• scale of C major
• scale of measurement
• scale up
• scale value
• scale wax
• scaled
• scaleless
• scalelike
• scalene
• scalene muscle
• scalene triangle
• scalenus
• scalenus syndrome
• scaler
• scaley
• scalic
• scaliness
• scaling