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essential
essential amino acid
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essence

es·sence [ éss'nss ] (plural es·sences)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. identifying nature: the quality or nature of something that identifies it or makes it what it is
You've described the city, but you haven't communicated its essence.

2. most important feature: the most important element or feature of something
The essence of leadership is said to be the willingness of other people to follow.

3. perfect form: the perfect or idealized form of something, especially when embodied in a person
She's the essence of tact.

4. biochemistry chemical constituent of plant: a purified plant extract

5. cooking cosmetics concentrated plant extract: a concentrated plant extract containing its unique flavor and fragrance
vanilla essence

[14th century. Via French< Latin essentia< essent-, present participle of esse "be"]

in essence fundamentally or intrinsically

of the essence of the highest importance for achieving something

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