QUINTES'SENCE, n. [L. quinta essentia, fifth essence.] 1. In alchimy, the fifth or last and highest essence of power in a natural body. Hence,2. An extract from any thing, containing its virtues or most essential part in a small quantity.Let there be light, said God; and forthwith light etherial, first of things, quintessence pure, sprung from the deep.3. In chimistry, a preparation consisting of the essential oil of a vegetable substance, mixed and incorporated with spirit of wine.4. The pure essential part of a thing.[I have followed Bailey and Ash and our general usage in the accentuation of this word. Jameson has done the same. The accent on the first syllable is very unnatural.]
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