Hypertext Webster Gateway: "elixir"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Elixir \E*lix"ir\, n. [F. ['e]lixir, Sp. elixir, Ar. eliks[=i]r
the philosopher's stone, prob. from Gr. ? dry, (hence
probably) a dry powder; cf. Skr. ksh[=a] to burn.]
1. (Med.) A tincture with more than one base; a compound
tincture or medicine, composed of various substances, held
in solution by alcohol in some form.
2. (Alchemy) An imaginary liquor capable of transmuting
metals into gold; also, one for producing life
indefinitely; as, elixir vit[ae], or the elixir of life.
3. The refined spirit; the quintessence.
The . . . elixir of worldly delights. --South.
4. Any cordial or substance which invigorates.
The grand elixir, to support the spirits of human
nature. --Addison.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
elixir
n 1: a sweet flavored liquid (usually containing a small amount
of alcohol) used in compounding medicines to be taken by
mouth in order to mask an unpleasant taste
2: a substance believed to cure all ills
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