The most perfect or typical example of a quality or class
The aspect of something regarded as the intrinsic and central constituent of its character
(in classical and medieval philosophy) A fifth substance in addition to the four elements, thought to compose the heavenly bodies and to be latent in all things
the fifth and highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that permeates all nature and is the substance composing the celestial bodies.
is a formal word that can refer to the most typical or perfect example of something, or the most important part of something.
the pure, concentrated essence; the most perfect embodiment of something [n -S]