Essence
Defined in 3 dictionaries — Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Anderson (1889)
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
That which is indispensable to that of which it is the essence.
— Essence of the contract. Any condition or stipulation in a contract which is mutually understood and agreed by the parties to be of such vital importance that a sufficient performance of the contract cannot be had without exact compliance with it is said to be "of the essence of the contract."
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
That which is indispensable to that of which it is the essence.
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
See Time.