Nearby Words

quintessential

[kwin-tuh-sen-shuhl] Example Sentences Origin

quin·tes·sen·tial

[kwin-tuh-sen-shuhl]
adjective
1.
of the pure and essential essence of something: the quintessential Jewish delicatessen.
2.
of or pertaining to the most perfect embodiment of something: the quintessential performance of the Brandenburg Concertos.
quin·tes·sen·tial·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Quintessential is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Example Sentences
  • It was the quintessential boxer-versus-puncher matchup.
  • This is splendid social history, the quintessential American story of people and community.
  • He was the quintessential professional, dignified and gracious, a quiet hero.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
quintessential (ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃəl)
 
adj
most typically representative of a quality, state, etc; perfect
 
quintessentially
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

quintessential
c.1600, from quintessence.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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