quintessential

/ˌkwɪntəˈsɛnʃəl/(american) · /ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃəl/(british)

quin-tes-sen-tial · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

  2. 2.

    Being the essence or most important element of something.

Forms

comparative: more quintessentialsuperlative: most quintessential

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    quintessential example — The perfect representative case.
  • •
    quintessential qualities — The defining characteristics of something.

Related words

Antonyms: atypical, uncharacteristic
See also: archetypal, epitome, essence, ideal, quintessence, typical
Synonyms: archetypal, classic, ideal, perfect, typical

Etymology

From Latin quinta essentia ("fifth essence"), referring to the fifth element (ether) in ancient and medieval philosophy, believed to be the substance of celestial bodies and latent in all things. The term entered English in the late 15th century through medieval Latin quintessentia. The word quintessence predates the adjective form. In medieval alchemy and philosophy, the four earthly elements were earth, water, air, and fire. The quinta essentia was thought to be the pure, concentrated essence that could be extracted from a substance—its purest and most typical form.