essence
/ˈesəns/noun
mass noun
1- the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, which determines its character本质, 实质; 要素：
conflict is the essence of drama.
冲突是戏剧的要素。
1.1
- count noun Philosophy a property or group of properties of something without which it would not exist or be what it is【哲】本质。
1.2
- an extract or concentrate obtained from a particular plant or other matter and used for flavouring or scent香精, 香料：
vanilla essence.
香草精。
短语
in essence
- basically and without regard for peripheral details; fundamentally本质上, 基本上, 实质上：
in detail the class system is complex but in essence it is simple.
具体地说社会等级制度很复杂, 但实际上很简单。
of the essence
- critically important极其重要的, 关键的：
time will be of the essence during negotiations.
时间在谈判中极其重要。
词源
late Middle English: via Old French from Latin essentia, from esse 'be'.