What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Seminal vs Quintessential - What's the difference?

seminal | quintessential |

As adjectives the difference between seminal and quintessential

is that seminal is of or relating to seed or semen while quintessential is of the nature of a quintessence (in all senses); ultimate.

As a noun seminal

is a seed.

seminal

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or relating to seed or semen.
  • Creative or having the power to originate.
  • Highly influential, especially in some original way, and providing a basis for future development or research.
  • * Hare
    • The idea of God is, beyond all question or comparison, the one great seminal principle.
    "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" was a seminal work in the modern philosophy of science.
  • *

    • Synonyms

    * (relating to seed) germinal * (creative) innovative, primary * (highly influential) innovative, formative

    Derived terms

    * seminality * seminally

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A seed.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
    • the seminals of spiders and scorpions

    Anagrams

    *

    quintessential

    English

    Adjective

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