essence
English
Etymology
From French essence, from Latin essentia (“the being or essence of a thing”), from an artificial formation of esse (“to be”), to translate Ancient Greek οὐσία (ousia, “being”), from ὤν (ōn), present participle of εἰμί (eimi, “I am, exist”).
Pronunciation
Noun
essence (plural essences)
- The inherent nature of a thing or idea.
- A significant feature of something.
- The concentrated form of a plant or drug obtained through a distillation process.
- essence of Jojoba
- Fragrance, a perfume.
- (philosophy) The true nature of anything, not accidental or illusory.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
inherent nature
significant feature
concentrate
fragrance
true nature of something
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External links
- essence in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- essence in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
Anagrams
French
Etymology
Old French, from Latin essentia, from an irregular formation of esse ‘be’.
Pronunciation
Noun
essence f (plural essences)