Elixir
ELIXIR (from the Arabic al-iksir, probably an adaptation of the Gr., a powder used for drying wounds, from , dry), in alchemy, the medium which would effect the transmutation of base metals into gold; it probably included all such substances - vapours, liquids, etc. - and had a wider meaning than "philosopher's stone." The same term, more fully elixir vitae, elixir of life, was given to the substance which would indefinitely prolong life; it was considered to be closely related to, or even identical with, the substance for transmuting metals. In pharmacy the word was formerly given to a strong extract or tincture, but it is only used now for an aromatic sweet preparation, containing one or more drugs, and in such expressions as "elixir of vitriol," a mixture of sulphuric acid, cinnamon, ginger and alcohol.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
