Meaning

• The inherent nature of a thing or idea.

• The true nature of anything, not accidental or illusory.

• Constituent substance.

• A being; especially, a purely spiritual being.

• A significant feature of something.

• The concentrated form of a plant or drug obtained through a distillation process.

  "essence of Jojoba"

• An extract or concentrate obtained from a plant or other matter used for flavouring.

  "vanilla essence"

• Fragrance, a perfume.