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Elixir

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e⋅lix⋅ir

  [i-lik-ser]
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–noun
1. Pharmacology. a sweetened, aromatic solution of alcohol and water containing, or used as a vehicle for, medicinal substances.
2. Also called elixir of life. an alchemic preparation formerly believed to be capable of prolonging life.
3. an alchemic preparation formerly believed to be capable of transmuting base metals into gold.
4. the quintessence or absolute embodiment of anything.
5. a panacea; cure-all; sovereign remedy.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < ML < Ar al iksīr alchemical preparation < LGk xrion drying powder (for wounds), equiv. to Gk xēr(ós) dry + -ion, neut. of -ios adj. suffix
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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e·lix·ir   (ĭ-lĭk'sər)   
n.  

  1. A sweetened aromatic solution of alcohol and water, serving as a vehicle for medicine.

    1. See philosophers' stone.

    2. A substance believed to maintain life indefinitely. Also called elixir of life.

    3. A substance or medicine believed to have the power to cure all ills.

  3. An underlying principle.


[Middle English, a substance of transmutative properties, from Old French elissir, from Medieval Latin elixir, from Arabic al-'iksīr : al, the + 'iksīr, elixir (probably from Greek xērion, desiccative powder, from xēros, dry).]
phi·los·o·phers' stone also phi·los·o·pher's stone   (fĭ-lŏs'ə-fərz)
n.  A substance that was believed to have the power of transmuting base metal into gold. Also called elixir.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

elixir 
1266, from M.L. elixir "philosopher's stone," believed by alchemists to transmute baser metals into gold and/or to cure diseases and prolong life, from Ar. al-iksir, probably from late Gk. xerion "powder for drying wounds," from xeros "dry." General sense of "strong tonic" is 1597; used for quack medicines from at least 1631.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: elix·ir
Pronunciation: i-'lik-s&r
Function: noun
: a sweetened liquid usually containing alcohol that is used in medication either forits medicinal ingredients or as a flavoring
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

elixir e·lix·ir (ĭ-lĭk'sər)
n.
A sweetened aromatic solution of alcohol and water, serving as a vehicle for medicine.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Encyclopedia

elixir

in alchemy, substance thought to be capable of changing base metals into gold. The same term, more fully elixir vitae, "elixir of life," was given to the substance that would indefinitely prolong life-a liquid that was believed to be allied with the philosopher's stone. Chinese Taoists not only sought the "pill of immortality" but developed techniques (meditation, breathing exercises, diet) that were thought to confer immortality by internal alchemy.

Learn more about elixir with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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