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First published 1891; not yet revised

essentialadjective & noun

Quotations

Contents

Earlier version

  1. adjective
    1. 1.
      In various senses related to essence n. 1– 4.
      1. 1.a.
        c1340–
        That is such by essence, or in the absolute or highest sense.
        1. c1340
          Þe souerayne and þe escencyalle joy es in þe lufe of Godd by hymselfe and for hym-selfe, and þe secundarye es in, etc.
          R. Rolle, Prose Treat. (1866) 16
        2. 1817
          The poem..to which we return..claims the name of essential poetry.
          S. T. Coleridge, Biographia Literaria vol. I. i. 22
        3. 1877
          As the love of God is essential happiness, sin, which is enmity to him, is essential misery, eternal misery.
          W. Sparrow, Sermon xv. 203
      2. 1.b.
        1535–1635
        † Having existence, real, actual. Also, identical with what now exists. Obsolete.
        1. 1535
          Monasteries..which the kinges maiestie..shall declare and limittee to continue and be in their assencial estate.
          Act 27 Henry VIII c. 27
        2. 1535
          As if the same monasteryes..hadde contynued in ther essencyall bodyes and states that thei now be or were in.
          Act 27 Henry VIII c. 28 §3
        3. 1552
          Any reall and essenciall presence.
          Boke of Common Prayer (STC 16280.5) Administr. Lordes Supper (Declar. on Kneeling) sig. O.iv
        4. a1635
          Was his essential table full and free As boasts and invitations used to be?
          R. Corbet, Poems 62
      3. 1.c.
        a1676
        † Relating to position in the scale of being. Obsolete. rare.
        1. a1676
          The production of Creatures of various degrees of essential perfection.
          M. Hale, Primitive Origination of Mankind (1677) i. vi. 122
      4. 1.d.
        1502–1884
        † Dependent on the intrinsic character or condition of anything, not on extraneous circumstances. Of diseases: Idiopathic (cf. essence n. 3b). essential merit (Theology) = ‘merit of condignity’, the merit belonging to good works in proportion to their intrinsic excellence; so essential reward.
        1. 1502
          He shall not be rewarded of meryte essencyall, for those werkes done in dedely synne.
          translation of Ordynarye of Crysten Men (de Worde) iv. iv. sig. r.iiii
        2. ?1563
          Euerie merit.. whiche is recompensed by essentiall rewarde (as they call it) in heauen.
          Viscount Montagu, translation of J. Fisher, Godlie Treat. Prayer sig. D7
        3. a1654
          Is it true, then, that thou art but a name, And no essential thing?
          J. Webster in Webster's New International Dictionary English Language (1890)
        4. 1875
          Mountains are formed, he [Avicenna] says, some by essential, others by accidental causes.
          C. Lyell & L. Lyell, Principles of Geology (ed. 12) vol. I. i. iii. 28
        5. 1884
          Essential disease, a disease complete in itself, and not depending on, or symptomatic of another.
          New Sydenham Society Lexicon
        Christianitypathology
      5. 1.e.
        1604–
        essential debility, essential dignity (Astrology): see the nouns.
        astrology
      6. 1.f.
        1604–97
        † Thorough, entire.
        1. 1604
          Oh hees a most essentiall gentleman, coz.
          T. Dekker & T. Middleton, Honest Whore ii. i. 195
        2. 1697
          Dear Ladies, your most Essential humble Servant.
          C. Cibber, Womans Wit iii. 38
    2. 2.
      1495–
      Of or pertaining to essence, specific being, or intrinsic nature. essential difference (Logic): = ‘specific difference’, differentia n. essential character: in scientific classification, the marks which distinguish a species, genus, etc. from the others included with it in the next superior division. essential proposition (Logic): one which predicates of a subject something that is implied in its definition. †essential name (Theology): see quot. 1495. essential form (metaphorical): see form n.
      1. 1495
        The names signyfienge or betokenynge the dyuyne essence or beynge ben callid names essencialles.
        Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) i. sig. Aiv/1
      2. 1590
        The essentiall fourme of Marble stone, Tempered by science metaphisicall.
        C. Marlowe, Tamburlaine: 2nd Part sig. I7
      3. 1593
        In which essentiall vnitie of God.
        R. Hooker, Of Lawes of Ecclesiasticall Politie i. ii. 49
      4. 1605
        Deceit or vntruth..doth destroy the essentiall fourme of knowledge, which is nothing but a representation of truth.
        F. Bacon, Of Aduancement of Learning i. sig. F2
      5. 1628
        [The copula] signifies an essentiall attribution (that is) that, the latter part of the definition doth giue being vnto the former.
        T. Spencer, Art of Logick 4
      6. 1656
        Rationability..is a substantiall part of a man, because it is a part of his definition, or his essentiall difference.
        J. Bramhall, Replication to Bishop of Chalcedon 3
      7. 1709
        Essential Forms I say, rather than Substantial.
        J. Reynolds, Death's Vision vii. Notes 6
      8. 1736
        Its [sc. Virtue's] having, in the essential Nature of the thing, a Tendency to procure them [sc. Superiority and Advantages].
        Bishop J. Butler, Analogy of Religion i. iii. 63
      9. 1776
        The nectary gives the essential character.
        W. Withering, British Plants (1796) vol. I. 212
      10. 1846
        An essential proposition then, is one which is purely verbal.
        J. S. Mill, System of Logic (ed. 2) i. vi. §4
      11. 1871
        The desire to ascertain..the essential nature of virtue.
        B. Jowett, translation of Plato, Dialogues vol. I. 171
      logicChristianitytaxonomy
      1. 3.a.
        1546–
        Constituting, or forming part of, the essence of anything; belonging to a thing by virtue of its essence; necessarily implied in its definition; indispensably entering into its composition.
        1. 1546
          His only begotten son equal to him in essential power.
          T. Langley, translation of P. Vergil, Abridgement of Notable Worke iv. i. 82
        2. 1596
          Those essentiall parts of his, His truth, his love, his wisedome, and his blis.
          E. Spenser, Fowre Hymnes xvi
        3. 1654
          By the Law of nature as an essential right of Sovereignty.
          J. Bramhall, Just Vindication of Church of England vii. 225
        4. 1690
          The thought of any thing essential to any of them, instantly vanishes.
          J. Locke, Essay Humane Understanding iii. vi. 209
        5. 1705
          The Glory of God is so exquisite in itself and so Essential to Him, that, etc.
          G. Stanhope, Paraphrase Epistles & Gospels vol. I. 54
        6. 1862
          The desire of reputation..is an essential part of human nature.
          B. Brodie, Psychological Inquiries vol. II. i. 9
        7. 1878
          In the essential immortality of the soul.
          B. Stewart & P. G. Tait, Unseen Universe i. 23
      2. 3.b.
        1770–
        Affecting the essence of anything; ‘material’, important.
        1. 1770
          You have done essential service to the cause.
          ‘Junius’, Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) vol. II. xli. 116
        2. 1781
          The piercing eye of the founder of the republic must have discerned two essential imperfections.
          E. Gibbon, Decline & Fall vol. III. 44
        3. 1794
          To have adopted the civil law with no very essential variation.
          E. Burke, Rep. Lords' Journals in Works (1842) vol. II. 617
        4. 1871
          It is not in the nature of things that a better man should receive essential harm from a worse.
          J. S. Blackie, Four Phases of Morals i. 142
      1. 4.a.
        1526–
        Absolutely necessary, indispensably requisite.
        essential vows: the three vows (of chastity, poverty, and obedience) indispensable to the monastic life.
        1. 1526
          The lyfe of religious persons, that professed the .iii. essenciall vowes.
          W. Bonde, Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. FFFiiii
        2. 1612
          Those sciences which are so essentiall to the spirituall house of God.
          Bishop J. Hall in J. Brinsley, Ludus Literarius Commend. Preface sig. §
        3. 1662
          The first and essential point of Building, (to wit, Solidity with Ornament and Conveniency).
          B. Gerbier, Brief Discourse Principles of Building 4
        4. 1712
          That serious Air which seems essential to the Magnificence of an Epic Poem.
          J. Addison, Spectator No. 279. ¶8
        5. 1807
          Silica..is an essential ingredient in mortar.
          T. Thomson, System of Chemistry (ed. 3) vol. II. 85
        6. 1858
          Propositions which I hold to be most essential for a right understanding of history.
          H. T. Buckle, History of Civilisation in England (1873) vol. II. viii. 425
        7. 1874
          The essential quality of a monument is permanence.
          J. T. Micklethwaite, Modern Parish Churches 223
      2. 4.b.
        1721–
        Music. essential chord, in early use = common chord; in later use = fundamental adj. A.7a, opposed to accidental (see quot. 18062). essential harmony (see quot. 1851). essential notes: the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of a chord. essential sharps and flats (see quot. 18061).
        1. 1721
          Of the natural Notes of every Mode or Octaue, Three go under the Name of the essential Notes, in a peculiar Manner, viz. the Fundamental, the 3d, and 5th.
          A. Malcolm, Treatise of Musick ix. 277
        2. 1806
          Sharps or flats..which occur in the course of the Movement..are termed accidental, to distinguish them from those of the Signature, which are essential to the Scale of the original key note.
          J. W. Callcott, Musical Grammar (1817) 55
        3. 1806
          His [Kirnberger's] arrangement of Chords, into essential and accidental.
          J. W. Callcott, Musical Grammar (1817) 202
        4. 1851
          There are only certain particular harmonies, which belong to any one particular key..These are called the Essential harmonies of the key.
          Warner, translation of Weber, Th. Composition 258
        5. 1880
          The use of preliminary notes a semitone above or below any note of an essential chord.
          G. Grove, Dictionary of Music vol. I. 679/1 at Harmony
        music
      1. 5.a.
        1651–
        That is of the nature of, or resembles, an essence or extract (see essence n. 10); that is in a state of essence.
        1. 1651
          This Spirit contains in it..essentiall Sulphur.
          J. French, Art of Distillation v. 113
        2. 1673
          In the Vessels a more essential Liquor..in the Fibres a more simple and essential Air.
          N. Grew, Idea of Phytological History ii. v. 97
        3. 1751
          They filled his apartments with alexipharmics, restoratives, and essential virtues.
          S. Johnson, Rambler No. 120. ⁋2
        4. 1832
          From humble violet—modest thyme—Exhaled, the essential odours climb.
          W. Wordsworth, Devot. Incitements
        chemistry
      2. 5.b.
        1682–
        essential oil noun
        A volatile oil, obtained by distillation, and marked by the characteristic odour of the plant or substance from which it is extracted; as the oil of laurel, oil of turpentine, etc. Now often as a synonym of ‘volatile oil’.
        1. 1682
          Having..made mention of the preparation of Essential Oyls.
          N. Grew, Of Mixture i. App. §1 in Anatomy of Plants 237
        2. 1732
          The Soul of any Plant..is neither more nor less than its essential Oil.
          G. Berkeley, Alciphron vol. II. vi. xiv. 51
        3. 1813
          Volatile oil, likewise called essential oil, differs from fixed oil, in being capable of evaporation by a much lower degree of heat.
          H. Davy, Elements of Agricultural Chemistry iii. 90
        4. 1859
          The Volatile or Essential Oils are destitute of the strength of the fixed oils.
          T. J. Gullick & J. Timbs, Painting 208
        5. 1867
          Sections of woods..containing gum, resin, etc., should be soaked in essential oil, alcohol, or ether.
          J. Hogg, Microscope (ed. 6) i. iii. 205
        oil and gas industry
      3. 5.c.
        1708–1800
        essential salt noun
        Obsolete. See quot.
        1. 1708
          Essential Salt of a Plant, (in Chym.) is made of the pounded Juice of the Plant, strain'd and set for some time in a Cellar, till the Salt shoot out into Crystals.
          J. Kersey, Dictionarium Anglo-Britannicum
        2. 1718
          The essential salt is that which is obtain'd by Chrystallization from the Juices of Plants.
          J. Quincy, Pharmacopœia Officinalis 9
        3. 1800
          What the first chemists called, in general, the Essential Salts of Vegetables.
          translation of E. J. B. Bouillon-Lagrange, Manual of Course of Chemistry vol. II. 181
    6. 6.
      1827–
      Quasi-adv.= essentially adv.
      1. 1827
        His face with clouds Of glory circled round, essential bright!
        R. Pollok, Course of Time vol. II. x. 244
  2. noun
    1. 1.
      1667
      † What exists; existence, being. Obsolete.
      1. 1667
        His utmost ire..Will..quite consume us, and reduce To nothing this essential.
        J. Milton, Paradise Lost ii. 93
      1. 2.a.
        a1513
        † plural = essential vows at sense A.4a; see A.4. Obsolete.
        1. a1513
          Euer after to obserue, the essencyals thre.
          H. Bradshaw, Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. xxi. sig. h.iv
        2. a1513
          The sensuals thre.
          H. Bradshaw, Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) ii. xxiii. sig. r.viii
      2. 2.b.
        a1620–
        More generally: something belonging to the essence of a thing; an indispensable element or adjunct; also, in weaker sense, a chief or leading point. Originally only in plural; in later use, occasionally singular.
        1. a1620
          Vowes, and invocations, and other the Essentials of religion.
          M. Fotherby, Atheomastix (1622) i. iv. §3. 23
        2. 1751
          These Matters..being rather among the Elegancies, than the Essentials of Language.
          J. Harris, Hermes i. viii. 172
        3. 1793
          If..all our essentials had duly performed their duties, we could have reaped little advantage from them.
          J. Smeaton, Narrative Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §266
        4. 1815
          Well, well, no occasion to be particular, tell the essentials.
          W. Scott, Guy Mannering vol. II. 191
        5. 1848
          Natural motive powers..are a help, but not an essential, of production.
          J. S. Mill, Principles of Political Economy vol. I. i. vii. 119
        6. 1850
          The distinction between the Franciscans and Dominicans lay not in essentials, but merely in point of discipline.
          A. Jameson, Legends of Monastic Orders 241
        7. 1861
          The first essential to the patient, without which all the rest..is as nothing.
          F. Nightingale, Notes on Nursing (new edition) i. 7
        8. 1873
          A tendency..to be blinded by exterior trivialities to interior essentials.
          H. Spencer, Study of Sociology v. 111
    3. 3.
      1663
      † plural. Inmost nature; ‘vitals’. Obsolete. rare.
      1. 1663
        The plague of sin has even altered his nature, and eat into his very essentials.
        R. South, Sermons preached Nov. 9, 1662 34

Additional sense (2018)

  1. 1866–
    Biology. Of a nutrient or other metabolically active substance: that is required for the survival and normal growth of an organism; spec. that is not made in adequate amounts by the body and must be obtained in the diet; as essential amino acid, essential fatty acid, essential vitamin, etc.
    1. 1866
      If it is worth while to make a special classification of the vital food stuffs at all, it appears desirable to distinguish the essential food stuffs, or proteids, from the accessory food-stuffs.
      T. H. Huxley, Lessons in Elementary Physiology vi. 145
    2. 1883
      Whole wheat meal, besides containing other essential mineral elements, has double the amount of lime, and nearly three times the amount of phosphoric acid.
      Dental Reg. vol. 37 39
    3. 1911
      This essential amino acid is split off earlier, and therefore is probably better absorbed in the intestine and utilized in the body.
      British Medical Journal 6 May 1068/2
    4. 1922
      The addition of the essential vitamin would effect a cure of the disorder [sc. rickets].
      Lancet 9 September 552/1
    5. 1930
      Linoleic acid (and possibly other acids) therefore is an essential fatty acid.
      G. O. Burr & M. M. Burr in Journal of Biological Chemistry vol. 86 619
    6. 1971
      Like foods that contain essential vitamins not yet isolated by science, I believe the Hebrew (like the Greek and Norse) legends nourish us at a level not easily translated into intellectual terms.
      H. S. Kushner, When Children ask about God ii. 32
    7. 2002
      Nearly half of the amino acids in egg protein are essential.
      Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences U.S.A. vol. 99 4416/2
    8. 2013
      The unmatched health properties of the only plant food that contains all the essential amino acids, trace elements and vitamins compelled the UN to declare 2013 the international year of quinoa.
      Independent on Sunday 10 November 11/2
    life sciences