Ultimately life is aimless, futile existence (4)

I believe the answer is:

esse

'existence' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'ultimately life is aimless futile' is the wordplay.
'ultimately' suggests the final letters.
The last letters of 'life is aimless futile' are 'ESSE'.

(Other definitions for esse that I've seen before include "Reality" , "Fundamental nature (philosophy)" , "Actual existence" , "Essential nature (philosophy)" , "Dried fruit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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