potion

[poh-shuhn]

noun

1. a drink or draft, especially one having or reputed to have medicinal, poisonous, or magical powers.

   a love potion; a sleeping potion.

   Synonyms: philter, concoction, brew, elixir

potion

/ ˈpəʊʃən /

noun

1. a drink, esp of medicine, poison, or some supposedly magic beverage

2. a rare word for beverage

Word History and Origins

Origin of potion¹

1300–50; Middle English pocion < Latin pōtiōn- (stem of pōtiō ) a drinking, equivalent to pōt ( us ), variant of pōtātus, past participle of pōtāre to drink + -iōn- -ion; replacing Middle English pocioun < Anglo-French < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of potion¹

C13: via Old French from Latin pōtiō a drink, especially a poisonous one, from pōtāre to drink

Example Sentences

His gripped his white wine like a potion, delivering hope.

From Los Angeles Times

After collaborating on an early workshop of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the two joined forces to bring to life wand duels, transfiguration potions and the Mind Flayer.

From Los Angeles Times

Scripture and natal charts existed in tandem, along with palm-reading diagrams, recipes for potions and instructions for alchemical reactions.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t think there’s a magic potion or something. We’re all trying to do the same thing — win a World Series — and each game is one stepping stone toward that.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Death Becomes Her,” a musical comedy based on the zany 1992 film about two warring women who turn to a magical potion in their quests for eternal youth, will transfer to Broadway this fall.

From New York Times

Related Words

• draught 
• elixir