| Rating | Solver | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| ESSE | Essential life part | |
| SOUL | The seat of real life or vitality; the source of action; the animating or essential part. | |
| VITALS | Fig.: The part essential to the life or health of anything; as, the vitals of a state. | |
| PITH | Hence: The which contains the strength of life; the vital or essential part; concentrated force; vigor; strength; importance; as, the speech lacked pith. | |
| ORGAN | ...nt, capable of performing some special action (termed its function), which is essential to the life or well-being of the whole; as, the heart, l... | |
| HEART | The nearest the middle or center; the part most hidden and within; the inmost or most essential part of any body or system; the source of life ... | |
| GIST | Essential part | |
| OLDAGE | Later part of life | |
| MESS | Storeroom essential part of army eatery | |
| OBBLIGATO | Essential part of a piece of music | |
| MAY | The early part or springtime of life. | |