elixir

noun

elix·​ir i-ˈlik-sər How to pronounce elixir (audio)
1
a(1)
: a substance held capable of changing base metals into gold
(2)
: a substance held capable of prolonging life indefinitely
b(1)
(2)
: a medicinal concoction
2
: a sweetened liquid usually containing alcohol that is used in medication either for its medicinal ingredients or as a flavoring
3
: the essential principle

Did you know?

Elixir has roots in the practice of alchemy; it was used in the Middle Ages as the word for a substance believed to be capable of changing base metals into gold. Its later use for a drug purported to prolong one's life led to its use in the names of medicines of mostly questionable effectiveness. Today, it is often used generally for anything thought capable of remedying all ills or difficulties, be they physical or otherwise. The word came to us via Middle English and Medieval Latin from Arabic al-iksīr; it probably ultimately derives from Greek xērion, meaning "desiccative powder."

Did you know?

Alchemist: Someone Who Transforms Things for the Better

Today we recognize alchemy as a pseudoscience, and give chemistry its rightful place as a serious scientific field, but the two terms initially overlapped in meaning before separating by the 17th century, just as astrology and astronomy did during the same period.

Alchemy and alchemist are in fact older words than chemistry and chemist in English. Alchemists believed that lead could be “perfected” into gold, that diseases could be cured, and that life could be prolonged through transmutation, or a change of some essential element into a superior form. Their secretive experiments, usually involving heat and the mixing of liquids, led to the development of pharmacology and the rise of modern chemistry.

The long route to English for alchemist began with the Greek word chēmeia, which probably came from the word chyma (“fluid”), derived from the verb chein, meaning “to pour.” It then passed to Arabic, which added its definite article al- (“the”) to the Greek root. The word then passed from Latin to French before coming to English. Some other words derived from Arabic also retain the al- in English, such as algebra, algorithm, and alcohol; in fact, the transformative liquid that was constantly being sought through experimentation by alchemists is another word with the Arabic al- prefix: elixir.

This power to transform things for the better, real or imagined, led to figurative meanings for alchemy and alchemist.

Examples of elixir in a Sentence

warned that casino gambling would not be an elixir for all of the region's economic woes
Recent Examples on the Web The elixir pairs peptides, AHA/BHA (specifically, glycolic, mandelic, lactic, and phytic acid), bioferments, shea butter, and papain into a silky exfoliant that smooths skin texture, conditions flaky skin, and soothes irritation. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024 Whoever can turn it invisible by bending light around it will change warfare just as dramatically as the Chinese alchemist 900 years ago who was looking for the elixir of life and discovered gunpowder. Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 More than a century ago, hucksters peddled magic elixirs from wagons. David Klepper, Fortune Well, 31 Jan. 2024 This spot corrector treats stubborn post-acne marks thanks to a potent elixir of kojic acid, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid. Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Nov. 2023 When a $6,000 order for this 74-year-old elixir from the Scottish Highlands is placed, an entire ritual is set in motion. Adam Erace, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2024 At a South Pole research station (which makes this Antarctic Noir, technically) where rockstar biologist Arthur Wilde (John Lynch) is working on some kind of magic climate change elixir, someone starts picking off the staff of his facility. David Faris, theweek, 14 Jan. 2024 Most of the syrups, shrubs and juices are generated in-house, whether that be a passion fruit-ancho chile elixir or the Toasted Swisher Sweet Aroma (made by swirling a gas-station cigar briefly in liquid). Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024 The latter scene was first rehearsed in a brown lotion, and then later, the elixir contained actual chocolate. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elixir.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-iksīr the elixir, from al the + iksīr elixir, probably from Greek xērion desiccative powder, from xēros dry

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of elixir was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near elixir

Cite this Entry

“Elixir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elixir. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elixir

noun
elix·​ir i-ˈlik-sər How to pronounce elixir (audio)
1
a
: a substance held to be capable of changing metals into gold
b
: a substance held to be capable of extending life
c
2
: a sweetened usually alcoholic liquid containing medicine

Medical Definition

elixir

noun
elix·​ir i-ˈlik-sər How to pronounce elixir (audio)
: a sweetened liquid usually containing alcohol that is used in medication either for its medicinal ingredients or as a flavoring

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