- (v.t.) To perfume; to scent.
- (n.) Perfume; odor; scent; or the volatile matter constituting perfume.
- (n.) The constituent elementary notions which constitute a complex notion, and must be enumerated to define it; sometimes called the nominal essence.
- (n.) The predominant qualities or virtues of a plant or drug, extracted and refined from grosser matter; or, more strictly, the solution in spirits of wine of a volatile or essential oil; as, the essence of mint, and the like.
- (n.) Constituent substance.
- (n.) The constituent quality or qualities which belong to any object or class of objects or on which they depend for being what they are (distinguished as real essence); the real being, divested of all logical accidents; that quality which constitutes or marks the true nature of anything; distinctive character; hence, virtue or quality of a thing, separated from its grosser parts.
- (n.) A being; especially, a purely spiritual being.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). essence. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/essence/definitions/2004844 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "essence" http://smartdefine.org/essence/definitions/2004844 (accessed September 22, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, essence, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/essence/definitions/2004844>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "essence" 27 May 2011. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/essence/definitions/2004844> |