#1
essential a. basic and fundamental; "the essential feature"
. wn #2
essential s. [
all-important, all important, crucial, of the essence] of the greatest importance; "the all-important subject of disarmament"; "crucial information"; "in chess cool nerves are of the essence"
. wn #3
essential n. [
necessity, requirement, requisite, necessary] anything indispensable; "food and shelter are necessities of life"; "the essentials of the good life"; "allow farmers to buy their requirements under favorable conditions"; "a place where the requisites of water fuel and fodder can be obtained"
. wn #4
essential a. being or relating to or containing the essence of a plant etc; "essential oil"
. wn #5
essential a. [
substantive] defining rights and duties as opposed to giving the rules by which rights and duties are established; "substantive law"
. wn