elixir
The definition of an elixir is a magical potion or a medical potion designed to cure.
(noun)An example of an elixir is a potion made in medieval times believed to make a person live forever.
See elixir in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a substance sought by medieval alchemists because it was thought to have the power to change base metals into gold or (in full ) to prolong life indefinitely
- Rare the quintessence; underlying principle
- a supposed remedy for all ailments; panacea
- Pharmacy a sweetened, aromatic solution used as a vehicle for a medicine or alcohol, or as a nonmedicated flavoring
Origin: ME < ML < Ar al-iksīr < al, the + iksīr, philosopher's stone, prob. < Gr xērion, powder for drying wounds < xēros, dry: see xero-
See elixir in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A sweetened aromatic solution of alcohol and water, serving as a vehicle for medicine.
- a. See philosophers' stone.b. A substance believed to maintain life indefinitely. Also called elixir of life.c. A substance or medicine believed to have the power to cure all ills.
- An underlying principle.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English, a substance of transmutative properties
Origin: , from Old French elissir
Origin: , from Medieval Latin elixir
Origin: , from Arabic al-’iksīr
Origin: : al, the
Origin: + ’iksīr, elixir (probably from Greek xērion, desiccative powder, from xēros, dry)
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