essence
es.sence \'es-*n(t)s\ n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L essentia, fr. esse to be
- more at ]IS 1a: the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element
of being 1b: the individual, real, or ultimate nature of a thing esp. as
opposed to its existence 1c: the property necessary to the nature of a
thing 1d: the most significant property of a thing 2: something that
exists : ENTITY 3a1: a volatile substance or constituent (as of perfume)
3a2: a constituent or derivative (as an extract or essential oil) possessin
g the special qualities (as an alcoholic solution) of such an essence or a
synthetic substitute 3b: ODOR, PERFUME 3c: something that resembles an
extract in possessing a quality in concentr ated form