Quintessence

The clearest embodiment or most concentrated expression of a quality.

Reach for it when calling something the defining example of what a quality looks like

For him, the shared harvest was the quintessence of community spirit.

• everyday

  essence

  the defining nature matters more than an example

  not when Essence may be an abstract core rather than a visible instance.

• warm

  ideal

  the example represents the desired standard

  not when An ideal can be imagined and never realized.

• professional

  archetype

  a model pattern recurs across many examples

  not when Archetype stresses original pattern, not concentrated excellence.

• formal

  apotheosis

  the highest possible development suits elevated criticism

  not when Apotheosis is very grand and unfamiliar to many readers.

• formal

  embodiment

  an abstract quality is made visible in one example

  not when Embodiment need not be the finest or purest example.

• literary

  epitome

  the most typical example deserves compact emphasis

  not when Epitome can be positive or negative and may sound grand.

• antithesis
• deviation
• poor example

• quintessence of kindness

  Her unadvertised help was the quintessence of kindness.

• very quintessence

  The tiny courtyard is the very quintessence of the old neighborhood.

• quintessence of summer

  Ripe peaches became the quintessence of summer at the market.