ESSENTIAL

I. adjective Date: 14th century of, relating to, or constituting essence ; inherent , 2. of the utmost importance ; basic , indispensable , necessary , being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet , idiopathic , ~ly adverb ~ness noun Synonyms: see: ~ II. noun Date: 15th century something basic , something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable