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Noun: essence  e-sun(t)s
  1. The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
    "the essence of the prosecutor's argument";
    - kernel, substance, core, center [US], centre [Brit, Cdn], gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty
     
  2. Any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant, drug or other natural product from which it is extracted
     
  3. The central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
    - effect, burden, core, gist
     
  4. A toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odour
    - perfume, scent
     
  5. (philosophy) the true nature of anything; the defining property or properties of something

Derived forms: essences

Type of: cognitive content, content, import, meaning, mental object, significance, signification, substance, toilet articles, toiletry

Encyclopedia: Essence