philter
Americannoun
-
a potion, charm, or drug supposed to cause the person taking it to fall in love, usually with some specific person.
-
a magic potion for any purpose.
verb (used with object)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of philter
First recorded in 1580–90; from French philtre, from Latin philtrum; see philtrum
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Red Hugh fell afoul of a British agent who accomplished with a philter what could not be done by force.
From Time Magazine Archive
Then, with a warmth of determination worthy a younger man, he demanded an explanation, and received a confession of the poisonous love philter.
From Old-Time Gardens Newly Set Forth by Earle, Alice Morse
I am absolutely in love; when she looks at me, when I touch her hand, when her dress rustles against me, I feel, as it were, a philter running through my veins.
From Led Astray and The Sphinx Two Novellas In One Volume by Feuillet, Octave
The philter; it was clear, had been given him, and he was now under its influence.
From The Star-Chamber, Volume 2 An Historical Romance by Ainsworth, William Harrison
To these lowly, solitary men, who knew nothing beyond their own fields and coppices and wastelands, its excitement came like a magic philter to change the monotony of their days.
From The Waters of Edera by Ouida
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
