quintessence

quin·tes·sence

noun \kwin-ˈte-s^ən(t)s\

Definition of QUINTESSENCE

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

Examples of QUINTESSENCE

1. <the Parthenon in Greece was considered the quintessence of the perfectly proportioned building>
2. <a selfless desire to help others is the quintessence of the virtue of charity>

Origin of QUINTESSENCE

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to QUINTESSENCE

Synonyms: acme, apotheosis, beau ideal, byword, classic, epitome, exemplar, ideal, perfection

Related Words: archetype, model, prototype; paradigm, standard; nonpareil, paragon; abstract, avatar, embodier, embodiment, incarnation, incorporation, manifestation, personification; height, last word, meridian, ultimate, zenith; benchmark, criterion, touchstone, yardstick

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Other Philosophy Terms

dialectic, dualism, epistemology, existentialism, metaphysics, ontology, sequitur, solipsism, transcendentalism