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Quintessential vs Definitive - What's the difference?

quintessential | definitive |

As adjectives the difference between quintessential and definitive

is that quintessential is of the nature of a quintessence (in all senses); ultimate while definitive is explicitly defined.

As a noun definitive is

a word, such as a definite article or demonstrative pronoun, that defines or limits something.

quintessential

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of the nature of a quintessence (in all senses); ultimate.
  • * '>citation

    • definitive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • explicitly defined
  • conclusive or decisive
  • definite, authoritative and complete
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
    • A strict and definitive truth.
  • * Prescott
    • Some definitive scheme of reconciliation.
  • Limiting; determining.
    • a definitive word
  • (philately) general, not issued for commemorative purposes
  • (obsolete) Determined; resolved.
  • * 1604 , , V. i. 424:
    • Never crave him. We are definitive .

    Derived terms

    * definitively

    Noun

    (definitive stamp) (en noun)
  • (grammar) a word, such as a definite article or demonstrative pronoun, that defines or limits something
  • (philately) an ordinary postage stamp that is part of a series of all denominations or is reprinted as needed to meet demand