Essence



GRE 考研

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 本质, 精髓
• ［英］ n. 本质, 精髓 ( that which makes a thing what it is)
• ［例］ The essence of his argument is that capitalism cannot succeed.

Webster Collegiate

noun

• Etymology: Middle English essencia, from Latin essentia, from esse to be — more at is
• Date: 14th century
• 1.
  • a. the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of being
  • b. the individual, real, or ultimate nature of a thing especially as opposed to its existence <a painting that captures the essence of the land>
  • c. the properties or attributes by means of which something can be placed in its proper class or identified as being what it is
• 2. something that exists ; entity
• 3.
  • a.
    • (1) a volatile substance or constituent (as of perfume)
    • (2) a constituent or derivative possessing the special qualities (as of a plant or drug) in concentrated form; also a preparation of such an essence or a synthetic substitute
  • b. odor, perfume
• 4. one that possesses or exhibits a quality in abundance as if in concentrated form <she was the essence of punctuality>
• 5. the most significant element, quality, or aspect of a thing or person <the essence of the issue>

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