We explain what is essential, the origin of the term and its current meaning. In addition, various synonyms and antonyms of the term.
What does it mean to be essential?
When we talk about something essential, we are stating that It is something necessary, obligatory, indispensablethat is, it is not possible to do without it. The term is the antonym of dispensable, which is that which is accessory, optional, that is neither necessary nor obligatory.
Both dispensable and essential come from the Latin verb praescinderecomposed of prae- (“before”, “forward”) and scindere (“cut”, “separate”), so its primitive meaning has to do with that which cannot be separated, which cannot be “cut” into two parts and choose one, but is always attached, complete.
This figurative meaning survives to this day. When we say that an object is essential to carry out an operation, we affirm that the latter cannot be carried out without said object: “A screwdriver is essential when removing a screw.”
Similarly, A person or knowledge is essential when it is absolutely necessary to do something: “To win this match it will be essential to have a good lead” or “If you want to fix a computer it is essential to have technical knowledge.”
They are synonyms of essential: necessary, obligatory, forced, unavoidable, indispensable. Instead, they are antonyms: dispensable, optional, optional, dispensable, sacrificial.
Continue with: Reciprocal
References
- “Essential” in the Dictionary of the language of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Essential” in Wictionary.
- “Etymology of essential” in Etymologies de Chile.net.
