Editing Elixir (section)

==Etymology==
The word was introduced in late [[Middle English]], through [[Medieval Latin|Latin]] from the [[Arabic Language|Arabic]] {{lang|ar|الإكسير}} ({{Transliteration|ar|al-ʾiksīr}}), which in turn is the [[Arabization]] of the [[Ancient Greek]] {{lang|grc|ξήριον}} ({{Transliteration|grc|xērion}}) {{gloss|powder for drying wounds}} (from {{lang|grc|ξηρός}} ({{Transliteration|grc|xēros}}) {{gloss|dry}}).<ref name=EB1911/> For centuries, ''elixir'' primarily meant an ingredient used in [[alchemy]], either referring to a liquid which purportedly converts lead to gold, or a substance or liquid which is believed to cure all ills and [[Elixir of immortality|give eternal life]].