The essential factor; the all-important element; the supreme aim.

synonym: be-all and end-all.

Roget 50: whole, totality, integrity; totalness etc. adj.^†; entirety, ensemble, collectiveness^†; unity etc. 87; completeness etc. 52; indivisibility, indiscerptibility^†; integration, embodiment; integer.    all, the whole, total, aggregate, one and all, gross amount, sum, sum total, tout ensemble, length and breadth of, Alpha and Omega, be all and end all;" complex, complexus^†; lock stock and barrel.    bulk, mass, lump, tissue, staple, body, compages^†; trunk, torso, bole, hull, hulk, skeleton greater part, major part, best part, principal part, main part; essential part etc. (importance) 642; lion's share, Benjamin's mess; the long and the short; nearly, all, almost all.    ... show more