01 n. That which underlies all outward manifestations; substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena, whether material or spiritual; th…
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That which underlies all outward manifestations; substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena, whether material or spiritual; that in which properties inhere; that which is real, in distinction from that which is apparent; the abiding part of any existence, in distinction from any accident; that which constitutes anything what it is; real or existing essence.“These cooks, how they stamp, and strain, and grind, And turn substance into accident!” — Chaucer.“Heroic virtue did his actions guide, And he the substance, not the appearance, chose.” — Dryden.
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The most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything; the main part; essential import; purport.“This edition is the same in substance with the Latin.” — Bp. Burnet.“It is insolent in words, in manner; but in substance it is not only insulting, but alarming.” — Burke.
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Body; matter; material of which a thing is made; hence, substantiality; solidity; firmness; as, the substance of which a garment is made; some textile fabrics have little substance.
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Material possessions; estate; property; resources.“And there wasted his substance with riotous living.” — Luke xv. 13.“Thy substance, valued at the highest rate, Can not amount unto a hundred marks.” — Shak.“We are destroying many thousand lives, and exhausting our substance, but not for our own interest.” — Swift.
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