4 uses
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Definition
absolutely necessary; or of the greatest importance
or:
the defining or most important aspect of something
or:
the defining or most important aspect of something
- We never devoted the attention to spitting, or to tugging at our armpits and crotches, that is the essential expression of nervousness in the adult sport.p. 33.5
- She actually held the door open for him; she even managed a charming curtsy—inappropriately girlish, but Harriet Wheelwright was gifted with those essentially regal properties that make the inappropriate gesture work .... those being facetiousness and sarcasm.p. 203.9
- In Hester's case, she wore simple, expensive clothes—but more casually than the designer had intended, and the fit was never quite right; her body belonged in the jungle, covered only essentially, possibly with fur or grass.p. 297.8
- Georgian Bay: July 26, 1987—The Toronto Star says that President Reagan "actually led the first efforts to conceal essential details of his secret arms-for-hostages program and keep it alive after it became public."p. 437.5
There are no more uses of "essential" in A Prayer for Owen Meany.
Typical Usage
(best examples)