- kernel, substance, core, center, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty - the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"
--1 is a kind of content, cognitive content, mental object
--1 has particulars:bare bones; hypostasis; quiddity, haecceity; quintessence; stuff - essence - any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted
--2 is a kind of substance, matter
- effect, essence, burden, core, gist - the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
--3 is a kind of meaning, significance, signification, import
- perfume, essence - a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor
--4 is a kind of toiletry, toilet article, toiletries
--4 has particulars:cologne, cologne water, eau de cologne; patchouli, patchouly, pachouli; perfumery; potpourri; rose water; toilet water, eau de toilette - effect, essence, burden, core, gist - the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work