Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Word of the Week: quintessence

I remember back to my youthful days of television watching and remember being amazed by the mellifluous orator, the late William F. Buckley, Jr. Mr. Buckley was not only a silver-throated orator par excellence, but without missing a beat, he would integrate the most remarkable sesquipedalian words with an ease that few have been able to copy throughout the years. In my opinion, silver-throated William F. Buckley, Jr. has always represented the quintessence of public speaking.

Quintessence, second cousin to the word epitome, is one of those wonderful sesquipedalian words that effortlessly rolls off of the tongue with an air of sophistication and grace that few other words can boast. Breaking the word down, we find two basic parts: Quint - which means fifth and essence  which meansessence! Literally, the word means the fifth-essence! Pronouncing it is simple! / Quin  tes  sence /

Two of the basic meanings of the word are as follows: 1) It was speculated in ancient and medieval philosophies that there were the earthly elements of earth, air, wind, and fire with an additional mysterious 5th element (ether) of which the heavenly bodies were composed, and 2) The most perfect embodiment or example of something.

It is this second meaning that we can banter around with at our leisure with such phrases like, The Bible is the quintessence of Gods Word for mankind. Or Satan is the quintessence of evil. It can also be used to further describe something, good or bad in its adjectival form of quintessential as in, Mom, that was the quintessential muffin that you have just baked! Meaning the texture, flavor, shape, and aroma was the perfect example of how a muffin should look, smell, and taste.

P.S. Say that phrase and Mom might just think that youre the quintessential son or daughter!