kwɪnˈtesns n. 1
the most essential part of
any substance; a
refined extract. 2 (usu. foll. by of) the purest
and most
perfect, or most
typical,
form, manifestation, or embodiment of
some quality or
class. 3 (in Ancient Philosophy) a
fifth substance (beside the
four elements) forming
heavenly bodies and pervading
all things. øøquintessential adj. quintessentially adv. [ME (in
sense 3) f. F f. med.L quinta essentia fifth ESSENCE]