Elixir
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ɪˈlɪksə(ɹ)/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Elixir is a noun meaning (alchemy) A liquid which converts lead to gold.
Meaning
(alchemy) A liquid which converts lead to gold.
More Meanings
- (alchemy) A substance or liquid which is believed to cure all ills and give eternal life.
- (by extension) The alleged cure for all ailments; cure-all, panacea.
- (pharmacy) 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.
Example Sentences
For Chinese alchemists, gold held the key to the Elixir, the Eastern equivalent of the Philosopher's Stone.
The subcommittee's report to the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry shows that the action of somnos is practically identical with that of a 5 per cent elixir of hydrated chloral.
The silver-bullet cancer cures of yesterday’s newsmagazine covers, like interferon and angiogenesis inhibitors, disappointed the breathless expectations, as have elixirs such as antioxidants, Vioxx, and hormone replacement therapy.
Word Forms
- elixirs
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include panacea, vitriol, cure-all, nostrum, paregoric, diphenhydramine.
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Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.