philter

American  

[fil-ter] / ˈfɪl tər /

especially British, philtre

noun

1. a potion, charm, or drug supposed to cause the person taking it to fall in love, usually with some specific person.

2. a magic potion for any purpose.

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verb (used with object)

philtered, philtering

1. to enchant or bewitch with a philter.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• philterer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of philter

First recorded in 1580–90; from French philtre, from Latin philtrum; see philtrum

Example Sentences

Red Hugh fell afoul of a British agent who accomplished with a philter what could not be done by force.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

But in the next act, just before she drinks the philter alone in her chamber, she oversteps the modesty of nature.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 24, March, 1873 by Various

Was I still under the influence of the philter poured into the wine?

From The Brass Bell or, The Chariot of Death by De Leon, Solon

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

Related Words

• draught
• elixir