- The definition of an elixir is a magical potion or a medical potion designed to cure.
An example of an elixir is a potion made in medieval times believed to make a person live forever.
A magical elixir.
- 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 of elixirMiddle English ; from Medieval Latin ; from Arabic al-iksīr ; from al, the + iksīr, philosopher's stone, probably ; from Classical Greek xērion, powder for drying wounds ; from xēros, dry: see xero-
- 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 of elixirMiddle 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).