QUINTESSENCE


Meaning of QUINTESSENCE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ kwin-ˈte-s ə n(t)s ]

noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French quinte essence, from Medieval Latin quinta essentia, literally, fifth essence

Date: 15th century

1. : the fifth and highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that permeates all nature and is the substance composing the celestial bodies

2. : the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form

3. : the most typical example or representative

the quintessence of calm

• quin·tes·sen·tial ˌkwin-tə-ˈsen(t)-shəl adjective

• quin·tes·sen·tial·ly adverb

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.