What is quintessential meaning?

The quintessential meaning refers to the purest, most essential essence or nature of something. It is the “ultimate” or “perfect” representation of something. For example, the quintessential summer day may be described as sunny, warm, with a gentle breeze and the smell of freshly cut grass. It is the perfect embodiment of what summer should be like. In literature, quintessential characters are those that represent the most significant or recognizable traits of a particular type. Quintessential can also be used to describe a person’s archetype or ideal traits.