/i lik"seuhr/ , n.
1. Pharm. a sweetened, aromatic solution of alcohol and water containing, or used as a vehicle for, medicinal substances.
2. Also called elixir of life . an alchemic preparation formerly believed to be capable of prolonging life.
3. an alchemic preparation formerly believed to be capable of transmuting base metals into gold.
4. the quintessence or absolute embodiment of anything.
5. a panacea; cure-all; sovereign remedy.
[ 1350-1400; ME al iksir alchemical preparation xérion drying powder (for wounds), equiv. to Gk xer ( ós ) dry + -ion, neut. of -ios adj. suffix ]