panacea

¹ American  

[pan-uh-see-uh] / ˌpæn əˈsi ə /

noun

1. a remedy for all disease or ills.

   Synonyms:

   cure-all, nostrum, elixir

2. an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties.

   His economic philosophy is a good one, but he tries to use it as a panacea.

   Synonyms:

   cure-all, nostrum, elixir

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Panacea ² American  

[pan-uh-see-uh] / ˌpæn əˈsi ə /

noun

1. an ancient Greek goddess of healing.

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panacea British  

/ ˌpænəˈsɪə /

noun

1. a remedy for all diseases or ills

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Other Word Forms

• panacean adjective

Etymology

Origin of panacea

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin, from Greek panákeia, equivalent to panake-, stem of panakḗs “all-healing” ( pan- “all” + akḗs “a cure”) + -ia noun suffix; pan-, -ia

Example Sentences

While not a panacea, supporters argue that a brief course is better than no preparation at all.

From Los Angeles Times

"We haven't reached a panacea, but it's better than it was."

From BBC

They represent a possible panacea for electric vehicles, making them more capable and cheaper than comparable gasoline-powered cars, but the technology isn’t yet in production vehicles.

From Barron's

While it was good news for traditional manufacturers, Wu said it was not a panacea.

From Barron's

“But the medicines aren’t a panacea either — in their current iteration.”

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• elixir