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philtre

[fil-ter]
noun, verb (used with object), phil·tred, phil·tring. Chiefly British.
  1. philter.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for philtre

Historical Examples

  • The philtre was in her veins, whatever the directions of the rational mind.

    One of Our Conquerors, Complete

    George Meredith

  • Then he whispered again, 'I will give you a philtre that has never failed.

    Arethusa

    F. Marion Crawford

  • Magic or no magic, philtre or no philtre, it was not long before Lady Essex had her wish.

    She Stands Accused

    Victor MacClure

  • What philtre do those baggages give you to rob you of your wits?

    Cousin Betty

    Honore de Balzac

  • It issued in that always; in some plan or scheme for gaining possession of the philtre.

    The Long Night

    Stanley Weyman

British Dictionary definitions for philtre

philtre

US philter

noun
  1. a drink supposed to arouse love, desire, etc
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Word Origin

C16: from Latin philtrum, from Greek philtron love potion, from philos loving
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for philtre

n.

also philter, "love potion," 1580s, from Middle French philtre (1560s), from Latin philtrum (plural philtra) "love potion," from Greek philtron "a love-charm," literally "to make oneself beloved," from philein "to love" (from philos "loving;" see philo-) + instrumental suffix -tron.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper