[ ɪ'lɪksə , -sɪə ]
■ noun a magical or medicinal potion, especially (in former times) either one supposedly able to change metals into gold or (also ~ of life ) supposedly able to prolong life indefinitely.
Origin
ME: via med. L. from Arab. al-'iksīr , from al 'the' + 'iksīr from Gk xērion 'powder for drying wounds'.