quin ‧ tes ‧ sence /kwɪnˈtes ə ns/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: quinte essence , from Medieval Latin quinta essentia 'fifth essence' ; because it was in addition to the four elements earth, air, fire, and water ]
the quintessence of something formal a perfect example of something:
John is the quintessence of good manners.