| elison | 1. Division; separation. 2. The cutting off or suppression of a vowel or syllable, for the sake of meter or euphony; especially, in poetry, the dropping of a final vowel standing before an initial vowel in the following word, when the two words are drawn together. Origin: L. Elisio, fr. Elidere, elisum, to strike out: cf. F. Elision. See Elide. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| elixir | 1. <medicine> 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. <chemistry> An imaginary liquor capable of transmuting metals into gold; also, one for producing life indefinitely; as, elixir vitae, 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) Origin: F. Elixir, Sp. Elixir, Ar. Eliksir the philosopher's stone, prob. From Gr. Dry, (hence probably) a dry powder; cf. Skr. Ksha to burn. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |