quintessence

Pronunciation

• enPR: kwĭn-tĕsʹ-əns, kwĭn-tĕsʹ-ĭns, IPA: /kwɪn.ˈtɛs.əns/, /kwɪn.ˈtɛs.ɪns/

Noun

quintessence (countable and uncountable, plural quintessences)

1. A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something; epitome, prototype.
   • Synonyms: see model
2. A pure substance.
   • Synonyms: see non-mixture
3. The essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.
   • Synonyms: see gist
4. (alchemy) The fifth alchemical element, or essence, after earth, air, fire, and water that fills the universe beyond the terrestrial sphere.
   • Synonym: aether
5. (physics) A hypothetical form of dark energy postulated to explain observations of an accelerating universe.

Verb

quintessence (third-person singular simple present quintessences, present participle quintessencing, simple past and past participle quintessenced)

1. (transitive) To reduce to its purest and most concentrated essence.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kɛ̃.tɛ.sɑ̃s/, /kɛ̃.te.sɑ̃s/

Noun

quintessence f (plural quintessences)

1. quintessence (all senses)