quintessence
noun /kwɪnˈtesns/
/kwɪnˈtesns/
[singular] (formal)- the quintessence of something the perfect example of something
- It was the quintessence of an English manor house.
- the quintessence of something the most important features of something synonym essence
- a painting that captures the quintessence of Viennese elegance
Word Originlate Middle English (as a term in philosophy): via French from medieval Latin quinta essentia ‘fifth essence’.