English Dictionary

QUINTESSENCE

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does quintessence mean? 

QUINTESSENCE (noun)
  The noun QUINTESSENCE has 3 senses:

1. the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodiesplay

2. the purest and most concentrated essence of somethingplay

3. the most typical example or representative of a typeplay

  Familiarity information: QUINTESSENCE used as a noun is uncommon.


 Dictionary entry details 


QUINTESSENCE (noun)


Sense 1

Meaning:

The fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Synonyms:

ether; quintessence

Hypernyms ("quintessence" is a kind of...):

element (one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe)

Domain usage:

archaicism; archaism (the use of an archaic expression)

Derivation:

quintessential (representing the perfect example of a class or quality)


Sense 2

Meaning:

The purest and most concentrated essence of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("quintessence" is a kind of...):

center; centre; core; essence; gist; heart; heart and soul; inwardness; kernel; marrow; meat; nitty-gritty; nub; pith; substance; sum (the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience)

Derivation:

quintessential (representing the perfect example of a class or quality)


Sense 3

Meaning:

The most typical example or representative of a type

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("quintessence" is a kind of...):

example; illustration; instance; representative (an item of information that is typical of a class or group)

Derivation:

quintessential (representing the perfect example of a class or quality)


 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"The only stupid question is the one that is not asked." (English proverb)

"Sow with one hand, reap with both." (Albanian proverb)

"Hunger is an infidel." (Arabic proverb)

"Better safe than sorry." (Croatian proverb)



ALSO IN ENGLISH DICTIONARY:


© 2000-2023 AudioEnglish.org | AudioEnglish® is a Registered Trademark | Terms of use and privacy policy
Contact