ə̇ˈliksə(r), ēˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English elixir, elixer, from Medieval Latin elixir, from Arabic al-iksīr the elixir, from al the + iksīr elixir, probably from Greek xērion desiccative powder, from xēros dry — more at serene
1.
a. : a substance held especially in the middle ages to be capable of transmuting metals into gold ; also : a substance or concoction held to be capable of prolonging life indefinitely — used especially in the phrase elixir of life
b. : cure-all , panacea
do we have to be persuaded that it is a panacea, an elixir , before we take any of it? — Glenway Wescott
c. archaic : a strong extract or tincture
d.
(1) : the quintessence of a thing : its driving force or principle
injected one way or another with the élan or elixir of the poet's dominant attitudes — Allen Tate & J.P.Bishop
(2) : something (as an experience or idea) that acts potently upon one, invigorating or filling with exuberant energy or cheer
the distant sound of music … the bright flash of colored skirts … was like a strong elixir — Victor Canning
an elixir was at work on American colonials … they saw life full of opportunities and believed they were alive under a new sky — Adrienne Koch
2. : any of a class of sweetened aromatic preparations that contain variable percentages of alcohol and are used either for their medicinal ingredients or in prescriptions for their flavoring quality