essence

n. inherent nature of something, spirit, central or outstanding characteristic; extract obtained from a plant or other substance by means of distillation; perfume, scent

In philosophy, essence is the attribute (or set of attributes) that make an object or substance what it fundamentally is, and that it has necessarily (in contrast with accidental properties that the object or substance has contingently, and without which the substance could have existed). The notion of essence has acquired many slightly but importantly different shades of meaning throughout the history of philosophy; most of them derive from its use by Aristotle and its evolution within the scholastic tradition.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Essence /es·sence/ 1. that which is or necessarily exists as the cause of the properties of a body. 2. in traditional Chinese medicine, jing. 3. [more]Essence - Community and Resources

Noun
1. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"
(synonym) kernel, substance, core, center, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty
(hypernym) content, cognitive content, mental object
(hyponym) bare bones
2. any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted
(hypernym) substance, matter
3. the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
(synonym) effect, burden, core, gist
(hypernym) meaning, significance, signification, import
4. a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor
(synonym) perfume
(hypernym) toiletry, toilet article, toiletries
(hyponym) cologne, cologne water, eau de cologne

n. petrol, gas; spirit, essence; juice; gift, natural talent