Main Entry: quin·tes·sence

Pronunciation: \kwin-ˈte-s^ən(t)s\

Function: 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