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elixir
elixir a magical or medicinal potion; in alchemy, a preparation which was supposed to be able to change metals into gold. The word is recorded from late Middle English and comes via medieval Latin from Arabic al-'iksīr, and ultimately from Greek xērion ‘powder for drying wounds’.
elixir of life an alchemical preparation supposedly able to prolong life indefinitely; the phrase is a translation of medieval Latin elixir vitae. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "elixir." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "elixir." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-elixir.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "elixir." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-elixir.html |
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elixir
e·lix·ir / iˈliksər/ • n. a magical or medicinal potion: an elixir guaranteed to induce love. ∎ a preparation that was supposedly able to change metals into gold, sought by alchemists. ∎ (also elixir of life) a preparation supposedly able to prolong life indefinitely. ∎ a medicinal solution of a specified type: a natural herbal cough elixir. |
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"elixir." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "elixir." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-elixir.html "elixir." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-elixir.html |
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Elixir
Elixir. (Arab., al-iksīr). Substances believed, especially in China, to confer immortality or simply longevity and magical powers, and as such the object of much herbal lore, myth, and alchemy. In China, the elixir is based on preparations to unite yin and yang and synchronize the microcosm and macrocosm.
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Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Elixir." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Elixir." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Elixir.html JOHN BOWKER. "Elixir." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Elixir.html |
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elixir
elixir alchemist's preparation for changing metals to gold or prolonging life. XIV. — medL. — Arab. al-'iksīr, perh. f. AL-2 + Gr. xērion desiccative powder for wounds, f. xērós dry.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "elixir." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "elixir." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-elixir.html T. F. HOAD. "elixir." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-elixir.html |
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elixir
elixir Alcoholic extract (tincture) of a naturally occurring substance; originally devised by medieval alchemists (the elixir of life), now used for a variety of medicines, liqueurs, and bitters.
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DAVID A. BENDER. "elixir." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "elixir." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-elixir.html DAVID A. BENDER. "elixir." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-elixir.html |
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elixir
elixir (i-liks-er) n. a preparation containing alcohol (ethanol) or glycerine, which is used as the vehicle for bitter or nauseous drugs.
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"elixir." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "elixir." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-elixir.html "elixir." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-elixir.html |
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elixir
elixir
•cassia, glacier
•apraxia, dyspraxia
•banksia • eclampsia
•estancia, fancier, financier, Landseer
•intarsia, mahseer, Marcia, tarsier
•bartsia, bilharzia
•anorexia, dyslexia
•intelligentsia • dyspepsia
•Dacia, fascia
•Felicia, Galicia, indicia, Lycia, Mysia
•asphyxia, elixir, ixia
•dossier • nausea
•Andalusia, Lucia
•overseer • Mercia • Hampshire
•Berkshire • Caernarvonshire
•Cheshire • differentia • Breconshire
•Devonshire • Ayrshire
•Galatia, Hypatia, solatia
•alopecia, godetia, Helvetia
•Alicia, Leticia
•Derbyshire • Berwickshire
•Cambridgeshire • Warwickshire
•Argyllshire • quassia • Shropshire
•Yorkshire • Staffordshire
•Hertfordshire • Bedfordshire
•Herefordshire • Oxfordshire
•Forfarshire • Lancashire
•Lincolnshire • Monmouthshire
•Buckinghamshire • Nottinghamshire
•Northamptonshire • Leicestershire
•Wigtownshire • Worcestershire
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Cite this article
"elixir." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "elixir." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-elixir.html "elixir." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-elixir.html |
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