GRE Word List

QUINTESSENCE

the fifth and highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that permeates all nature and is the substance composing the celestial bodies

The meaning of the word quintessence is the fifth and highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that permeates all nature and is the substance composing the celestial bodies.

Random words

WordMeaning
flusterto put into a state of agitated confusion : upset
hostagea person held by one party in a conflict as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an agreement
erroneouscontaining or characterized by error : mistaken
desiccateto dry up
supinelying on the back or with the face upward
composta mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land
cornucopiaa curved, hollow goat's horn or similarly shaped receptacle (such as a horn-shaped basket) that is overflowing especially with fruit and vegetables (such as gourds, ears of corn, apples, and grapes) and that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of abundance
shuntto turn off to one side : shift
stampedea wild headlong rush or flight of frightened animals
homilya usually short sermon