The innermost or central part of a thing; the essential or vital part; the spirit or essence; the core, the nub. Frequently in pith and marrow.

The inherent and inseparable combination of properties giving something its fundamental character; nature, essence. Cf. kind, n. 1a, 1b.

gen. The basic, fundamental, or innermost part of something; the essence; the core. Also in plural.

Theology. The divine essence or nature, esp. as that in which the three persons of the Trinity are united as one.

In figurative uses: usually denoting the essence or ‘spirit’ of something, in which its characteristic qualities are found, or which renders it…

The vital or essential part of something, the essence.

Philosophy. In the Scholastic philosophy: The essential determinant principle of a thing; that which makes anything (matter) a determinate species or…

Activity, action, as opposed to passivity; an active principle. Chiefly in pure act: = actus purus, n. 1.

Chiefly Philosophy. The inherent nature or essence of a person or thing; what makes a thing what it is. Cf. haecceity, n.

the nature or distinctive character by virtue of possessing which a thing is what it (specifically or individually) is.

The inner nature or essence of a thing or person; that which is within; the interior, secret, or… singular. rare.

Character, type; a characteristic quality, esp. a slight admixture of such a quality; a hint, trace, or tinge of something.

The inner nature or essence of a thing or person; that which is within; the interior, secret, or… plural. Obsolete.

Intrinsic character or nature; quality. In early use also in plural in same sense. Obsolete.

= essence, n. in various senses. fifth essency = quintessence, n.

Essential substance, essence. Also as a count noun.

The fundamental character, essence, or reality. Now only in phrases: see phrases 2.

The essential character, nature, or qualities of something.

The essence or essential part of something; the real or essential meaning. Chiefly in summary and substance; cf. sum and substance at sum, n.1…

the quality of being present.

The innermost part, very centre, or ‘heart’. of things immaterial; often with figurative reference to the core of a fruit or tree (as in sound at the…

The best, choicest, most attractive or desirable part or product of anything, material or immaterial; the essence, quintessence; also ‘the gist’…

Formal or essential nature; the characteristic or distinctive property by which a thing is defined. Also, the condition of possessing formal…

sum and substance: the essence of something; the real or essential meaning.

Intrinsic character or nature; quality. Cf. allay, n.1 1b.

Applied to a thing. Chiefly with the and of. The essential, fundamental, animating, or vital part or feature of something abstract. Also occasionally…

The inward or intrinsic character or quality of a thing; the inner nature, essence, or meaning.

That which a thing is. Cf. quiddity, n. 1.

Physiology. One of a number of thread-like bodies or filaments, that enter into the composition of… in animals. fibres of Corti: see Cortian, adj.

Personality; identity; essence.

That which makes a thing what it is; essential nature, essence: = quiddity, n. 1.

Essential character or nature; essence.

An attribute specially or intrinsically belonging to something; an essential characteristic, property, or quality. Obsolete.

the whole shot: the ‘sum and substance’.

That which has substance; the substantial element. Cf. sense A. 10.

Essence, essential nature.

That which constitutes the being of a thing; essence, essential nature.

Essential nature or being, as distinguished from external form or embodiment; essence. Obsolete.

Distinctive character, nature, or ‘spirit’ (of a thing): = genius, n. 6b–6d.

Chiefly Philosophy. The being, individuality, or identity of a thing. Sometimes contrasted with quiddity. Cf. quiddity, n. 1a, whatness, n.

Inner or inmost nature; an inward quality or feature. Obsolete.

= essence, n. Obsolete.

Inward or essential nature; that which a thing is in itself.

That which constitutes the being of a thing; that ‘by which it is what it is’. In two different… of a real entity: Objective character, intrinsic…

(a) The quality or state of being interior or inward. (b) Inner character or nature; an inner element.

(elliptical for ‘inmost part’, ‘intrinsic value’, ‘intrinsic quality’: see A. 3)

The fundamental or essential element of a thing. Obsolete. Cf. stamina, n.

Particularly distinctive nature, style, or expressive quality.

The inherent nature or essence of a person or thing; = quiddity, n. 1.

Being, essence.

Essence, sentiment; spec. (in Indian aesthetics) the inherent sentiment of an artistic work and the aesthetic impression conveyed by this work…

figurative and in figurative contexts. The centre, core, or essence of something; the most essential or significant part. Frequently paired with…

A question as to what something is, what is or was to be done, etc.; a reply to such a question. Also: the essence or substance of the thing in…

(a) The fact that a thing is. (b) That which a thing is in itself; essence.

Hopkins's word for the individual or essential quality of a thing; the uniqueness of an observed object, scene, event, etc. (see quots.).

Absolute existence or possession of qualities, independently of all other things whatever; the character of a thing when viewed as it is in itself…

The distinctive nature or essence of anything.