quintessence

noun

quin·​tes·​sence kwin-ˈte-sᵊn(t)s 

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

Did you know?

Long ago, when people believed that the earth was made up of four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—they thought the stars and planets were made up of yet another element. In the Middle Ages, people called this element by its Medieval Latin name, quinta essentia, literally, "fifth essence." Our forebears believed the quinta essentia was essential to all kinds of matter, and if they could somehow isolate it, it would cure all disease. We have since given up on that idea, but we kept quintessence, the offspring of quinta essentia, as a word for the purest essence of a thing. Some modern physicists have given quintessence a new twist—they use it to refer to a form of the dark energy believed to make up almost 70 percent of the energy in the observable universe.

Synonyms

• acme
• apotheosis
• beau ideal
• byword
• classic
• epitome
• exemplar
• ideal
• perfection

Example Sentences

the Parthenon in Greece was considered the quintessence of the perfectly proportioned building

a selfless desire to help others is the quintessence of the virtue of charity

Recent Examples on the Web

To some, quintessence was a subtle substance found in some degree in each of the other four elements. —Meg Neal, Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb. 2021

The very quintessence of a group effort. —Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 6 July 2012

And her longevity feels like a quest in the direction of excellence, as well as a pursuit of her own quintessence. —Chris Richards, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2023

But Frieman hopes new data may reveal something more exotic, such as a mysterious substance called quintessence, which some scientists have proposed could explain the accelerating expansion of the universe. —Ramin Skibba, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2020

That’s partly because punk, with its assaultive immediacy and defiant not-niceness, now seems like the quintessence of the pre-digital world. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 July 2022

To celebrate the Domaine, Lancôme has introduced a special edition Mille et Une Roses (1001 Roses) fragrance, created by perfumer Louise Turner to capture the quintessence of this glorious and significant flower. —April Long, Town & Country, 26 Aug. 2022

Her volume is the quintessence of the young Los Angeles poet, who strode to a lectern at the U.S. Capitol on Inauguration Day 2021 and reminded us, for a glorious moment, what the other side of sorrow felt like. —Lynell George, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2022

These two ancient codgers are the quintessence of creepy. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quintessence

• the quintessence

• the quintessence

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Kids Definition

quintessence

noun

quin·​tes·​sence kwin-ˈtes-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: the purest form of something

2

: the most perfect type or example

quintessential

ˌkwint-ə-ˈsen-chəl

adjective

Etymology

Middle English quintessence "the substance from which heavenly bodies are formed (according to medieval belief)," from early French quinte essence (same meaning), from Latin quinta essentia, literally, "fifth essence," from earlier quinta, feminine form of quintus "fifth," and earlier essentia "essence"