If it exists, it works
For Aristotle, the essence of a thing is what is stated in the definition of that thing.
Essence is what is stated in the definition
report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], defs) by Vassilis Politis - Aristotle and the Metaphysics 7.5
There is a system of internally related concepts containing the notion of a property, the notion of a causal power, the concept of an event, the concept of similarity, and the concept of a persisting substance.
One system has properties, powers, events, similarity and substance
Sydney Shoemaker (Causality and Properties [1980], §07)
Many hands make light work.