Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
ELIXIR
elixir
(noun) a substance believed to cure all ills
elixir
(noun) 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
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
elixir (plural elixirs)
(alchemy) A liquid which converts lead to gold.
(alchemy) A substance or liquid which is believed to cure all ills and give eternal life.
(by extension) The alleged cure for all ailments; cure-all, panacea.
(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.
Source: Wiktionary
E*lix"ir, n. Etym: [F. Ă©lixir, Sp. elixir, Ar. eliksir the philosopher's stone, prob. from Gr. ksha to burn.]
1. (Med.)
Definition: 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)
Definition: An imaginary liquor capable of transmuting metals into gold; also, one for producing life indefinitely; as, elixir vitæ, 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
5 May 2025
UNEXPLOITED
(adjective) not developed, improved, exploited or used; “vast unexploited (or undeveloped) natural resources”; “taxes on undeveloped lots are low”
Coffee Trivia
