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nonessential

 - 4 dictionary results

non⋅es⋅sen⋅tial

[non-uh-sen-shuhl]
–adjective
1. not essential; not necessary: Nonessential use of gasoline was forbidden during the war.
–noun
2. a nonessential thing or person.

Origin:
1745–55; non- + essential


1. unnecessary, incidental, extrinsic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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non·es·sen·tial   (nŏn'ĭ-sěn'shəl)   
adj.  
  1. Having little or no importance; not essential.

  2. Biochemistry Being a substance that is required for normal functioning but does not need to be included in the diet because of the body's ability to synthesize it from other nutrients.

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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: non·es·sen·tial
Pronunciation: -i-'sen-ch&l
Function: adjective
: being a nonessential amino acid
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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nonessential non·es·sen·tial (nŏn'ĭ-sěn'shəl)
adj.
Being a substance required for normal functioning but not needed in the diet because the body can synthesize it.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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