essence Definition

essence
noun

1. The basic distinctive part or quality of something, which determines its nature or character.

Thesaurus: fundamentals, gist, substance, core, centre, kernel, heart, pith, soul, spirit, lifeblood, principle, quintessence.
2. A liquid obtained from a plant or drug, etc, which has its properties in concentrated form.

Thesaurus: distillation, extract, elixir, concentrate, tincture, spirits.

Idiom: in essence

Basically or fundamentally.

Idiom: of the essence

Absolutely necessary or extremely important.

Etymology: 14c: French, from Latin essentia, from esse to be.