elixir

Etymology

From Medieval Latin elixir, from Arabic اَلْإِكْسِير (al-ʔiksīr), from Ancient Greek ξηρίον (xēríon, “medicinal powder”), from ξηρός (xērós, “dry”).

noun

1. (alchemy) A liquid which converts lead to gold.
   For Chinese alchemists, gold held the key to the Elixir, the Eastern equivalent of the Philosopher's Stone. 2002, Philip Ball, The Elements: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford, published 2004, page 59
2. (alchemy) A substance or liquid which is believed to cure all ills and give eternal life.
3. (by extension) The alleged cure for all ailments; cure-all, panacea.
   The silver-bullet cancer cures of yesterday’s newsmagazine covers, like interferon and angiogenesis inhibitors, disappointed the breathless expectations, as have elixirs such as antioxidants, Vioxx, and hormone replacement therapy. 2015, The Boston Globe, Steven Pinker, The moral imperative for bioethics
4. (pharmacy) 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.
   The subcommittee's report to the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry shows that the action of somnos is practically identical with that of a 5 per cent elixir of hydrated chloral. 1906, JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, volume 47, pages 872–875