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   quintessence

   /kwɪnˈtɛsns/

   noun

   • 1. the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class: "he was the quintessence of political professionalism" Similar perfect exampleexemplarprototypestereotypepictureepitomeembodimentpersonificationparagonidealbestcreameliteflowerjewelgempickprimelast wordacme of perfectioncrème de la crèmebeau idéal
   • ▪ the aspect of something regarded as the intrinsic and central constituent of its character: "we were all brought up to believe that advertising is the quintessence of marketing" Similar essencesoulspiritethosnaturecoreheartcentrecruxnubnucleuskernelmarrowpithsubstancesum and substanceinformal:nitty-grittyquiddityesse
   • 2. a refined essence or extract of a substance.
   • 3. (in classical and medieval philosophy) a fifth substance in addition to the four elements, thought to compose the heavenly bodies and to be latent in all things.

   Word Origin late Middle English (as a term in philosophy): via French from medieval Latin quinta essentia ‘fifth essence’.

   Scrabble Points: 23

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