quintessence

[ kwin-tes-uhns ]

noun

1. the pure and concentrated essence of a substance.
2. the most perfect embodiment of something.
3. (in ancient and medieval philosophy) the fifth essence or element, ether, supposed to be the constituent matter of the heavenly bodies, the others being air, fire, earth, and water.

quintessence

/ kwɪnˈtɛsəns /

noun

1. the most typical representation of a quality, state, etc
2. an extract of a substance containing its principle in its most concentrated form
3. (in ancient and medieval philosophy) ether, the fifth and highest essence or element after earth, water, air, and fire, which was thought to be the constituent matter of the heavenly bodies and latent in all things

Other Words From

• quin·tes·sen·tial [kwin-t, uh, -, sen, -sh, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quintessence¹

1400–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin quīnta essentia fifth essence

Word History and Origins

Origin of quintessence¹

C15: via French from Medieval Latin quinta essentia the fifth essence, translation of Greek pemptē ousia

Related Words

• apotheosis