love potion

American  

noun

1. a magical potion believed to arouse love or sexual passion toward a specified person, especially the person offering it.

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love potion British  

noun

1. any drink supposed to arouse sexual love in the one who drinks it

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Etymology

Origin of love potion

First recorded in 1640–50

Explanation

In mythology, a love-potion is a magical drink that makes the person who sips it fall in love. If you've got a crush on a classmate who doesn't know you're alive, you might be tempted to mix up a love-potion. Love-potions are featured in a variety of literature, fairy tales, and the mythology of many cultures. Influencing a person to return your love might seem from many stories to be as simple as mixing up an elixir. A love-potion gone wrong plays a part in Wagner's opera "Tristan und Isolde," as well as the popular song first recorded by The Clovers in 1959, "Love Potion No. 9." In Latin, potion means "drink" or "poisonous drink."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

love potion

The part in which characters play Tristan and Isolde doesn’t quite land, for instance: A relationship built on a mythical love potion isn’t an ideal point of comparison for a modern couple.

From New York Times ● Feb. 27, 2023

Now, a study has revealed the fungus creates a love potion by releasing chemicals that lure flies to increase their chances of infection.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 1, 2021

A person who takes a love potion in a fairy tale will fall in love with whomever she sees first, and this love will be binding.

From Time ● Oct. 12, 2015

Later, as its availability spread, chocolate gained a reputation as a love potion.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 30, 2014

There were several pages of notes on love, and Ash wondered if it were an attempt at a love potion, but there were few ingredients.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo