elixir
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Mediaeval Latin elixir, from Arabic الإكسير (al-’iksīr), from Ancient Greek ξήριον (“‘medicinal powder’”), from ξηρός (“‘dry’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /ɪˈlɪksə/
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
elixir (plural elixirs)
- (alchemy) A liquid which converts lead to gold.
- 2002, Philip Ball, The Elements: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford 2004, p. 59:
- For Chinese alchemists, gold held the key to the Elixir, the Eastern equivalent of the Philosopher's Stone.
- 2002, Philip Ball, The Elements: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford 2004, p. 59:
- A liquid which is believed to cure all ills and gives eternal life.
- (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.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
alchemy: liquid which was believed to turn non-precious metals to gold
liquid which is believed to cure all ills
pharmacy: sweet taste-masking liquid
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
