Entry Word: essence

Function: noun

Meaning: the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is <the belief that power ultimately rests with the people is the very essence of democracy>

Synonyms essentiality, nature, quintessence, soul, stuff, substance

Related Words heart, spirit; center, core, keynote, marrow, pith, seat; embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification; aspect, attribute, feature, property; gist, kernel, nub