elixir

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: e=lix=ir

CIDE DICTIONARY

elixir, n. [F. élixir, Sp. elixir, Ar. eliksīr the philosopher's stone, prob. from Gr. dry, (hence probably) a dry powder; cf. Skr. kshā to burn.].

•  A tincture with more than one base; a compound tincture or medicine, composed of various substances, held in solution by alcohol in some form.  [1913 Webster]
•  An imaginary liquor capable of transmuting metals into gold; also, one for producing life indefinitely; as, elixir vitæ, or the elixir of life.  [1913 Webster]
•  The refined spirit; the quintessence.  [1913 Webster]

  "The . . . elixir of worldly delights."  [1913 Webster]
•  Any cordial or substance which invigorates.  [1913 Webster]

  "The grand elixir, to support the spirits of human nature."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

elixir, n.
1 Alchemy a a preparation supposedly able to change metals into gold. b (in full elixir of life) a preparation supposedly able to prolong life indefinitely. c a supposed remedy for all ills.
2 Pharm. an aromatic solution used as a medicine or flavouring.

Etymology

ME f. med.L f. Arab. al-iksir f. al the + iksir prob. f. Gk xerion powder for drying wounds f. xeros dry

THESAURUS

elixir

axiom, balm, balsam, base, basis, broad-spectrum drug, catholicon, center, compound, concentrate, concentration, core, cure, cure-all, decoction, distillate, distillation, drops, drug, electuary, elixir of life, elixir vitae, essence, essential, ethical drug, extract, extraction, fabric, flower, focus, fundamental, generic name, gist, gravamen, heart, herbs, hypostasis, infusion, inhalant, inner essence, kernel, lincture, linctus, marrow, materia medica, material, matter, meat, medicament, medication, medicinal, medicinal herbs, medicine, medium, mixture, nonprescription drug, nostrum, nub, nucleus, nuts and bolts, officinal, panacea, patent medicine, pharmacon, physic, pith, polychrest, postulate, potion, powder, preparation, prescription drug, principle, proprietary, proprietary medicine, proprietary name, purification, quid, quiddity, quintessence, refinement, sap, simples, soul, sovereign remedy, spirit, stuff, substance, sum and substance, syrup, the nitty-gritty, therapeutic, theraputant, therapy, theriac, tincture, tisane, universal remedy, vegetable remedies

ROGET THESAURUS

elixir

Remedy

N remedy, help, cure, redress, medicine, medicament, diagnosis, medical examination, medical treatment, surgery, preventive medicine, clinical thermometer, stethoscope, X-ray machine, anthelmintic, antidote, antifebrile, antipoison, counterpoison, antitoxin, antispasmodic, bracer, faith cure, placebo, helminthagogue, lithagogue, pick-meup, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge, prophylactic, corrective, restorative, sedative, palliative, febrifuge, alterant, alterative, specific, antiseptic, emetic, analgesic, pain-killer, antitussive, antiinflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, carminative, Nepenthe, Mithridate, cure, treatment, regimen, radical cure, perfect cure, certain cure, sovereign remedy, examination, diagnosis, diagnostics, analysis, urinalysis, biopsy, radiology, medicine, physic, Galenicals, simples, drug, pharmaceutical, prescription, potion, draught, dose, pill, bolus, injection, infusion, drip, suppository, electuary, linctus, lincture, medicament, pharmacon, nostrum, receipt, recipe, prescription, catholicon, panacea, elixir, elixir vitae, philosopher's stone, balm, balsam, cordial, theriac, ptisan, agueweed, arnica, benzoin, bitartrate of potash, boneset, calomel, catnip, cinchona, cream of tartar, Epsom salts, feverroot, feverwort, friar's balsam, Indian sage, ipecac, ipecacuanha, jonquil, mercurous chloride, Peruvian bark, quinine, quinquina, sassafras, yarrow, salve, ointment, cerate, oil, lenitive, lotion, cosmetic, plaster, epithem, embrocation, liniment, cataplasm, sinapism, arquebusade, traumatic, vulnerary, pepastic, poultice, collyrium, depilatory, emplastrum, eyewater, vesicant, vesicatory, compress, pledget, bandage, treatment, medical treatment, regimen, dietary, dietetics, vis medicatrix, vis medicatrix naturae, medecine expectante, bloodletting, bleeding, venesection, phlebotomy, cupping, sanguisae, leeches, operation, surgical operation, transfusion, infusion, intravenous infusion, catheter, feeding tube, prevention, preventative medicine, immunization, inoculation, vaccination, vaccine, shot, booster, gamma globulin, pharmacy, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacopoeia, formulary, acology, Materia Medica, therapeutics, posology, homeopathy, allopathy, heteropathy, osteopathy, hydropathy, cold water cure, dietetics, surgery, chirurgery, chirurgy, healing art, leechcraft, orthopedics, orthopedy, orthopraxy, pediatrics, dentistry, midwifery, obstetrics, gynecology, tocology, sarcology, hospital, infirmary, pesthouse, lazarhouse, lazaretto, lock hospital, maison de sante, ambulance, dispensary, dispensatory, drug store, pharmacy, apothecary, druggist, chemist, Hotel des Invalides, sanatorium, spa, pump room, well, hospice, Red Cross, doctor, physician, surgeon, medical practitioner, general practitioner, specialist, medical attendant, apothecary, druggist, leech, osteopath, osteopathist, optometrist, ophthalmologist, internist, oncologist, gastroenterologist, epidemiologist, public health specialist, dermatologist, podiatrist, witch doctor, shaman, faith healer, quack, exorcist, Aesculapius, Hippocrates, Galen, accoucheur, accoucheuse, midwife, oculist, aurist, operator, nurse, registered nurse, practical nurse, monthly nurse, sister, nurse's aide, candystriper, dresser, bonesetter, pharmaceutist, pharmacist, druggist, chemist, pharmacopolist, remedial, restorative, corrective, palliative, healing, sanatory, sanative, prophylactic, preventative, immunizing, salutiferous, medical, medicinal, therapeutic, chirurgical, epulotic, paregoric, tonic, corroborant, analeptic, balsamic, anodyne, hypnotic, neurotic, narcotic, sedative, lenitive, demulcent, emollient, depuratory, detersive, detergent, abstersive, disinfectant, febrifugal, alterative, traumatic, vulnerary, allopathic, heteropathic, homeopathic, hydropathic, anthelmintic, antifebrile, antiluetic, aperient, chalybeate, deobstruent, depurative, laxative, roborant, dietetic, alimentary, nutritious, nutritive, peptic, alexipharmic, alexiteric, remediable, curable, aux grands maux les grands remedes, Dios que da la llaga da la medicina, para todo hay remedio sino para la muerte, temporis ars medicina fere est, the remedy is worse than the disease, throw physic to the dogs, I'll none of it.