# elixir

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɪˈlɪksə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #23,522

## Definitions
1. A liquid which converts lead to gold.
2. A substance or liquid which is believed to cure all ills and give eternal life.
3. The alleged cure for all ailments; cure-all, panacea.
4. 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.

## Etymology
From Medieval Latin elixir (“philosopher's stone”), from Arabic اَلْإِكْسِير (al-ʔiksīr, “philosopher's stone”), from Ancient Greek ξηρίον (xēríon, “powder for drying wounds”), from ξηρός (xērós, “dry”).

## Easily confused with
- **elicit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elicit-vs-elixir)

## Common misspellings (8)
`eilxir`, `eliixr`, `elixirr`, `elixri`, `elixxir`, `ellixir`, `elxiir`, `leixir`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/elixir