Philter
[FIL-tər]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: French, late 18th century
1.
A drink supposed to arouse love and desire for a particular person in the drinker; a love potion.
Examples of Philter in a sentence
"In many classic stage comedies, characters deploy philters with unexpected and hilarious results."
"Charles was so enraptured with Justina that he felt like he’d drunk a philter."
About Philter
“Philter” entered English in the 18th century through the Middle French “philtre,” also meaning “love potion.” However, the original basis for the word is the Ancient Greek “φῐ́λτρονm” (“phíltron,” meaning “love charm”).
Did you Know?
In Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the mischievous sprite Puck applies a philter to the eyes of sleeping fairy queen Titania. The proud and serious Titania wakes and falls desperately in love with the first living thing she sees: Nick Bottom, a weaver whose head Puck has turned into that of a donkey.
