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general::
noun basic/most important quality of sth ADJ. real, true, very VERB + ESSENCE capture, convey, embody, encapsulate, represent His paintings embody the very essence of the immediate post-war years. PREP. in ~ His theory was not new in essence. concentrated substance ADJ. almond, vanilla, etc. QUANT. dash, drop Add a few drops of vanilla essence. VERB + ESSENCE add, use
Oxford Collocations Dictionary