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essence

 - 5 dictionary results
Flower Essence
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es⋅sence

  [es-uhns]
Use essence in a Sentence
–noun
1. the basic, real, and invariable nature of a thing or its significant individual feature or features: Freedom is the very essence of our democracy.
2. a substance obtained from a plant, drug, or the like, by distillation, infusion, etc., and containing its characteristic properties in concentrated form.
3. an alcoholic solution of an essential oil; spirit.
4. a perfume; scent.
5. Philosophy. the inward nature, true substance, or constitution of anything, as opposed to what is accidental, phenomenal, illusory, etc.
6. something that exists, esp. a spiritual or immaterial entity.
—Idioms
7. in essence, essentially; at bottom, often despite appearances: For all his bluster, he is in essence a shy person.
8. of the essence, absolutely essential; critical; crucial: In chess, cool nerves are of the essence.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME essencia < ML, for L essentia. See esse, -ence

Synonyms:
1. substance, spirit, lifeblood, heart, principle, soul, core.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To essence
Flower Essence
Andean Orchids, Peruvian Essences, Ceremonial Plant Essences & more!
www.ShamansMarket.com
Infiniti Essence Concept
Explore Images and Sign Up for Upates for the Essence.
www.InfinitiUSA.com
es·sence   (ěs'əns)   
n.  

  1. The intrinsic or indispensable properties that serve to characterize or identify something.

  2. The most important ingredient; the crucial element.

  3. The inherent, unchanging nature of a thing or class of things.

    1. An extract that has the fundamental properties of a substance in concentrated form.

    2. Such an extract in a solution of alcohol.

    3. A perfume or scent.

  5. One that has or shows an abundance of a quality as if highly concentrated: a neighbor who is the essence of hospitality.

  6. Something that exists, especially a spiritual or incorporeal entity.


[Middle English essencia and French essence, both from Latin essentia, from esse, to be, from the presumed present participle *essēns, *essent- (on the model of differentia, difference, from differēns, different-, present participle of differre, to differ), created to translate Greek ousiā (from ousa, feminine present participle of einai, to be); see es- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

essence 
1398, from L. essentia "being, essence," abstract n. formed in imitation of Gk. ousia "being, essence" (from on, gen. ontos, prp. of einai "to be"), from prp. stem of esse "to be," from PIE *es- (cf. Skt. asmi, Hittite eimi, O.C.S. jesmi, Lith. esmi, Goth. imi, O.E. eom "I am;" see be). Originally "substance of the Trinity," the general sense of "basic element of anything" is first recorded in Eng. 1656, though this is the base meaning of the first Eng. use of essential (c.1340).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: es·sence
Pronunciation: 'es-&ns
Function: noun
1 : the real or ultimate nature of a thing : the properties that make a thing what it is essence from the collective bargaining agreement —United Steel Workers v. Enterprise Wheel and Car Corporation, 363 U.S. 593 (1960)> —see also ESSENCE TEST
2 : the predominant purpose of a thing essence of the contract>—of the essence : of the utmost importance; specifically : so material in nature that failure to satisfy its requirements constitutes a breach of contract
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: es·sence
Pronunciation: 'es-&n(t)s
Function: noun
1 : a substance considered to possess in high degree thepredominant qualities of a natural product (as a plant or drug) from which it is extracted (as by distillation or infusion)
2 a : ESSENTIAL OIL b : an alcoholic solution especially of an essential oil <essence of peppermint> c : an artificial preparation (as an alcoholic solution of one or more esters) used especially in flavoring essence> d : ELIXIR essence>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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