quintessence

1 the most perfect type or example <the Parthenon in Greece was considered the quintessence of the perfectly proportioned building> 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

2 the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is <a selfless desire to help others is the quintessence of the virtue of charity> Synonyms being, essentiality, nature, quiddity, essence, soul, stuff, substanceRelated Words heart, spirit; alpha and omega, center, core, keynote, marrow, pith, seat; embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification; aspect, attribute, feature, property; gist, kernel, nub