Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “quintessence” come from?

Quintessence derives from Medieval Latin quinta essentia, literally meaning "fifth essence," referring to a hypothetical fifth element beyond the four classical elements.

quintessence (English): A thing that is the most perfect example of its...

Definitions

  1. A thing that is the most perfect example of its...

Ancestry of “quintessence”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Medieval Latinquinta essentiafifth essence, aether

Words derived from “quintessence”

  • quintessential
  • quintessentially
  • quintessentialize
  • quintessentiality
  • quintessentialness
Every word from Medieval Latin quinta essentia →