Quintessence /(?)/

Quin·tes·sence

Quintessence

n.
  1. The fifth or last and highest essence or power in a natural body. See Ferment oils, under Ferment. [Obs.]
  2. Hence: An extract from anything, containing its rarest virtue, or most subtle and essential constituent in a small quantity; pure or concentrated essence.
    Let there be light, said God; and forthwith light Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure, Sprung from the deep.
  3. The most characteristic form or most perfect example of some type of object.

Quintessence

v. t.
  1. To distil or extract as a quintessence; to reduce to a quintessence. [R.]