Make Your Point > Archived Issues > QUINTESSENTIAL

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.



You're viewing the original version of this issue.

Here's the improved, expanded version.

"QUINTESSENTIAL" Meaning: Since "quint-" means "five," as in "quintuplets" or "quintile," then what does "quintessential" have to do with the number five? Well, you know how the medieval philosophers thought of the world as having four elements? (Fire, water, earth, and air?) The fifth, invisible one was called "quintessence" and was thought to be hidden inside everything. From there, you can see the connection to the general meaning of "purest essence." This word has specific meanings in medieval philosophy and in modern astronomy, but we'll focus on the general meaning: The quintessence of something is the purest, most perfect, most essential part. So, something quintessential is the most typical of its kind, or the purest of its kind. Pronunciation: kwint uh SENT shul Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “a quintessential sports fan.” 2. After a linking verb, as in “This sports fan is quintessential.”) Other forms: Quintessence & quintessentially. You can also quintessentialize something: make it quintessential, or express its quintessence.  How to use it: Often, you talk about the quintessential aspect or part of something: "Learning self-discipline is the quintessential element of the college experience." And just as often, you'll talk about one thing or person being a quintessential something: "She's a quintessential Type A personality;" "This is the quintessential Indian restaurant;" "Baseball is the quintessential American pastime;" "Jafar is the quintessential Disney villain." (Because something quintessential is the most important part of something, you'll often talk about the quintessential thing rather than a quintessential thing. But either article is fine.) You can also say that one thing is quintessential to something else: "Suspending your disbelief is quintessential to enjoying a work of fiction." Lastly, sometimes the adverb helps you make your point faster: "He's quintessentially British." In my view, doing things you don't feel like doing--since they've got to get done--is the quintessential aspect of maturity. I love big sashes on little girls' dresses. They're quintessentially feminine. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "quintessential" means when you can explain it without saying "most typical" or "most perfect." Think of a certain kind of food, meal, book, movie, or other creation that you like, and fill in the blanks: "(A certain thing) is quintessential to (a certain type of food, movie, etc.)" Example: "A main character who changes in a meaningful way he'd never expect is quintessential to a good novel." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're playing New Word Order! It's a card game that I recently created; it involves figuring out the order in which certain words and phrases entered our language. I'll give you several words and/or phrases, and you'll use your knowledge of history, slang, technology, popular culture, fashion, psychology, etc. to put them into chronological order. I'll post the right answer to each question on the following day. If you like this game, you can download and print it to play with your family and friends. (It's free.) Yesterday's task was to place "animal rightist" on this timeline:  Game show, 1953 Buzzworthy, 1980 Latte, 1989 Answer: Game show, 1953 Animal rightist, 1979 Buzzworthy, 1980 Latte, 1989 Today, your new timeline looks like this: Sci-fi, 1954 Point-and-shoot, 1964 Flash mobbing, 2003 Try to decide where this term belongs on that timeline: "meme." Special preview of next month's game: In December, we'll be sampling questions from Orijinz, an awesome series of games about words, phrases, and quotes. Click here or on the logo below if you want to go ahead and check them out! A Point Well Made: George Eliot: “It will never rain roses: when we want to have more roses, we must plant more roses.” 1. The opposites of QUINTESSENTIAL are A. SINGLE-SIDED and SIMPLE B. SUPPLEMENTAL and ATYPICAL C. ELEMENTARY and RARE 2. Their menu items--supposedly quintessential Hawaiian--are actually pretty _____. A. bland B. pricey C. obscure Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. C Exploring the archives: The roots of today's word pretty much literally mean "the fifth element." (Check out the note on the word's history; it's just before the "how to use it" section.) For fun, see if you can recall some words related to the other four classical elements: An air word: "g___" means a strong burst of wind, or a strong outburst of anything. A fire word: "i______" means to catch fire, or to bring something into brilliant, passionate existence. An earth word: "f_____" describes unused land, or anything with untapped potential. A water word: "w_________" is the source of a stream or river, or a rich source of anything.