essence

n 1: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some

idea or experience: "the gist of the prosecutor's

argument"; "the nub of the story" [syn: {kernel}, {substance},

{core}, {center}, {gist}, {heart}, {inwardness}, {marrow},

{meat}, {nub}, {pith}, {sum}, {nitty-gritty}]

2: any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant

properties of a plant or drug or other natural product

from which it is extracted

3: the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

[syn: {effect}, {burden}, {core}, {gist}]

4: a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor [syn: {perfume}]