OF THE ESSENCE

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does of the essence mean? 

• OF THE ESSENCE (adjective)
  The adjective OF THE ESSENCE has 1 sense:

1. of the greatest importance

  Familiarity information: OF THE ESSENCE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OF THE ESSENCE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of the greatest importance

Synonyms:

all-important; all important; crucial; essential; of the essence

Context example:

in chess cool nerves are of the essence

Similar:

important; of import (of great significance or value)

 Context examples 

Time presses, and in our implied agreement with the old scytheman it is of the essence of the contract.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

She came up to me one evening, when I was very low, to ask (she being then afflicted with the disorder I have mentioned) if I could oblige her with a little tincture of cardamums mixed with rhubarb, and flavoured with seven drops of the essence of cloves, which was the best remedy for her complaint;—or, if I had not such a thing by me, with a little brandy, which was the next best.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)