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elixir

Pronunciation: /ɪˈlɪksə(ɹ)/

The English word “elixir” has 4 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A liquid which converts lead to gold.
  2. A substance or liquid which is believed to cure all ills and give eternal life.
  3. The alleged cure for all ailments; cure-all, panacea.
  4. A sweet flavored liquid (usually containing a small amount of alcohol) used in compounding medicines to be taken by mouth in order to mask an unpleasant taste.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin elixir (“philosopher's stone”), from Arabic اَلْإِكْسِير (al-ʔiksīr, “philosopher's stone”), from Ancient Greek ξηρίον (xēríon, “powder for drying wounds”), from ξηρός (xērós, “dry”).

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