# quintessence

> English word · Noun · IPA /kwɪnˈtɛs.əns/ · frequency rank #63,170

## Definitions
1. A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something; epitome, prototype.
2. A pure substance.
3. The essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.
4. The fifth alchemical element, or essence, after earth, air, fire, and water that fills the universe beyond the terrestrial sphere.
5. A hypothetical form of dark energy postulated to explain observations of an accelerating universe.

## Etymology
PIE word
 *pénkʷe
From Middle English, borrowed from Middle French, from Medieval Latin quinta essentia (“fifth essence, aether”). "Essence" in this context is a synonym for "element". In pre-atomic/Aristotelian theory, there are four known elements or essences — Earth, Air, Fire and Water — and a putative fifth element (aether), which is considered to be of exceptional superior quality to the other four basic elements.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/quintessence