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