essentia

essentia — 名詞

1. the fundamental set of characteristics that makes something exactly what it is,

1.名詞C2
釋義

本質

事物存在的根本特性

the fundamental set of characteristics that makes something exactly what it is, and without which it would no longer be that kind of thing — the Latin philosophical term for the core being or nature of an entity.

例句

Professor Imran argued that the essentia of justice cannot be reduced to mere utility.

伊姆蘭教授主張，正義的本質不能簡化為單純的效用。

the essentia of + abstract noun (philosophical use)

William's treatise questioned whether the essentia of a species changes over evolutionary time.

威廉的論文探討物種的本質是否會隨著演化時間而改變。

同義詞
  • essence

    the everyday English equivalent, used in all registers

  • nature

    broader and less technical; refers to general character rather than philosophical definition

  • substance

    overlapping philosophical sense, but can also mean 'physical matter' outside philosophy

  • quiddity

    a rare scholastic term meaning 'whatness' — the essence that answers 'what is it?'

反義詞
  • accident

    in philosophy, a non-essential attribute that can change without altering what the thing is

  • appearance

    how something seems on the surface, contrasted with its true inner nature

文法句型

the essentia of [something]

用法筆記

This is the Latin term used primarily in philosophical and theological writing. In everyday English, the word 'essence' is far more common and carries the same core meaning. 'Essentia' is rarely encountered outside academic philosophy, medieval studies, or very formal theoretical discussions.

常見錯誤

❌The essentia of the problem is a lack of trust.' (in general English)
✅The essence of the problem is a lack of trust.
💡In most modern contexts, use 'essence'; reserve 'essentia' for philosophical or historical discussions about the nature of being.