Basic feature (7)
(Other definitions for element that I've seen before include "For example, gold" , "Fundamental component" , "(One's) preferred or natural environment" , "Basic constituent part" , "Fire (or part of one)" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">basic feature</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for essence that I've seen before include "Basic quality" , "Crux" , "Intrinsic nature; four Dn" , "required property" , "Core, most vital part" .)