Obs. [ad. L. essentia: see ESSENCE.] = ESSENCE in various senses. Fifth essence = QUINTESSENCE.
1460–70. Bk. Quintessence, I. 11. The science in þe extraccioun of þe 5 essencie from blood, and fleisch, and eggis.
1570. Levins, Manip., 96. Essencie, essentia.
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, II. iii. III. xii. One steddy Good, centre of essencies.
1648. Royalist’s Def., 114. The essency of a House of Parliament doth not consist meerly in the legall assembling of the Members.
