substance : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: substance	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for substance
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
substance n the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists; "DNA is the substance of our genes" the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story" Synonym(s): kernel, substance, core, center, centre, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty- gritty the idea that is intended; "What is the meaning of this proverb?" Synonym(s): meaning, substance material of a particular kind or constitution; "the immune response recognizes invading substances" considerable capital (wealth or income); "he is a man of means" Synonym(s): means, substance what a communication that is about something is about Synonym(s): message, content, subject matter, substance a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties; "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Substance \Sub"stance\, n. [F., fr. L. substantia, fr. substare to be under or present, to stand firm; sub under + stare to stand. See {Stand}.] 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. (Theol.) Same as {Hypostasis}, 2.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Substance \Sub"stance\, v. t. To furnish or endow with substance; to supply property to; to make rich. [Obs.]