Synonyms for quintessence

Noun

1. quintessence, ether, element

usage: the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies

2. quintessence, kernel, substance, core, center, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty

usage: the purest and most concentrated essence of something

3. quintessence, example, illustration, instance, representative

usage: the most typical example or representative of a type