quintessence
quintessence
subs.
Best part: P. and V. ἄνθος, τό, ἀκμή, ἡ.
subs.
Best part: P. and V. ἄνθος, τό, ἀκμή, ἡ.
QUINTESSENCE
succus subtilissimus (PROP.); also by flos robur medulla (figuratively).
succus subtilissimus (PROP.); also by flos robur medulla (figuratively).
quintessence:
I. Originally: the fifth natureor substance (according to the Pythagoreans), superior to the four elements of earth and water, air and fire: quinta illa (non nominata magis, quam non intellecta) natura, Cic. Tusc. 1, 17, 40: *quinta essentia, Med. Lat., cf. (of heaven) "a kind of q. or fifth sort of body, distinct from all these" (four elements). Watts's 'Logic': "the ethereal q. of heaven," Milton.
II. A condensed extract of all the virtues of a body.
1. From the above notion, quinta pars: the q. of nectar, (fig.), oscula, quae Venus Quinta parte sui nectaris imbuit, Hor. Od. 1, 13, 16.
2. vis, vis, f.: v.ESSENCE . Join: vis virtusque, Cic. de Or. 2, 27, 120 (adapted).
3. flos, flōris, m. (the choicest and most delicate part, like ἄνθος, and bloom): cf. flos Liberi (the bouquet of wine), Pac. in Non. 498, 12: flos veteris vini, Pl. Curc. 1, 2, 1 (cf. Liberi lepos! ib. 4): flos vitae, Cic. de Or. 3, 3, 12. Note--lĕpor, os, ōris, m., may perh. be used for the q. of wit.
4. mĕdulla, f. (marrow: pith): the q. of persuasive eloquence, m. suadae, Enn. in Cic. Brut. 15, 59.
5. sūcus, m. (succus): cf. s. ingenii, Quint. prooem. § 24. Ainsw. gives succus subtilissimus. For philosophy, recourse may be had to the med. Lat., quinta essentia: cf.ESSENCE .
I. Originally: the fifth nature
II. A condensed extract of all the virtues of a body.
1. From the above notion, quinta pars: the q. of nectar, (fig.), oscula, quae Venus Quinta parte sui nectaris imbuit, Hor. Od. 1, 13, 16.
2. vis, vis, f.: v.
3. flos, flōris, m. (the choicest and most delicate part, like ἄνθος, and bloom): cf. flos Liberi (the bouquet of wine), Pac. in Non. 498, 12: flos veteris vini, Pl. Curc. 1, 2, 1 (cf. Liberi lepos! ib. 4): flos vitae, Cic. de Or. 3, 3, 12. Note--lĕpor, os, ōris, m., may perh. be used for the q. of wit.
4. mĕdulla, f. (marrow: pith): the q. of persuasive eloquence, m. suadae, Enn. in Cic. Brut. 15, 59.
5. sūcus, m. (succus): cf. s. ingenii, Quint. prooem. § 24. Ainsw. gives succus subtilissimus. For philosophy, recourse may be had to the med. Lat., quinta essentia: cf.