essence-n; 5 Senses

Sense Number 1: intrinsic or fundamental nature of something

Commentary: ESSENCE[+quality][+nature][+fundamental]

Examples:
Conflict is the essence of drama.
The faces of those children are the essence of innocence.
The photographer has really captured the essence of the landscape.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: the core content of a communication, gist

Commentary: ESSENCE[+entity][+abstract][+information][+content][+gist]

Examples:
Anti-globalization is the essence of that candidate's political platform.
The essence of the story is how the heroine overcomes the obstacles of a class society.
What was the essence of the minister's sermon today?

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 3: substance which is a volatile extract used as flavoring or scent

Commentary: ESSENCE[+entity][+substance][+volatile][+extract]

Examples:
This perfume has rose and jasmine essence as major ingredients.
The spice shop sells fresh and dried herbs, as well as aromatic herbal essences.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 4

Sense Number 4: basically, fundamentally

Commentary: Idiom: In_essence

Examples:
The details of the proof are complex, but in essence, the idea is simple.
In essence, they have created a trade barrier with this legislation.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: Idiom

Sense Number 5: critically important

Commentary: Idiom: of_the_essence

Examples:
Time is of the essence in this matter.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: Idiom