quintessence

Etymology

PIE word *pénkʷe From Middle English, borrowed from Middle French, from Medieval Latin quinta essentia (“fifth essence, aether”). "Essence" in this context is a synonym for "element". In pre-atomic/Aristotlean theory, there are four known elements or essences — Earth, Air, Fire and Water — and a putative fifth element (aether), which is considered to be of exceptional superior quality to the other four basic elements.

noun

1. A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something; epitome, prototype.
2. A pure substance.
3. The essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.
   For vvhat is ſilke but eu'n a Quinteſſence, / Made vvithout hands beyond al humane ſenſe? / A quinteſſence? nay vvel it may be call'd, / A deathleſſe tincture, ſent vs from the skies, / VVhoſe colour ſtands, vvhose gloſſe is ne're appalld, […] 1599, T[homas] M[offett], The Silkewormes, and Their Flies:[…], London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Nicholas Ling,[…], →OCLC, pages 67–68
4. (alchemy) The fifth alchemical element, or essence, after earth, air, fire, and water that fills the universe beyond the terrestrial sphere.
5. (physics) A hypothetical form of dark energy postulated to explain observations of an accelerating universe.

verb

1. (transitive) To reduce to its purest and most concentrated essence.