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Glite Dictionary
💊 A cure-all 🛠️ A universal solution
panpharmacon

panpharmacon

9.9
A medicine people think can cure every disease
  • noun
  • /ˌpænˈfɑrməˌkɒn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : panfármaco
  • The herbalist claimed that his new formula was a panpharmacon for all ailments.

Examples

  • Throughout history, various cultures have sought a panpharmacon that could heal every disease known to mankind.

  • Many people searched for a panpharmacon, hoping it would cure their chronic illnesses.

  • Nux vomica, the panpharmacon.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

panacea
vspanpharmacon
17 9.6

A supposed cure for all problems

is limited to curing diseases rather than all kinds of problems
cure-all
vspanpharmacon
7 7.5

A medicine that people say cures every illness but often does not work

is stated as a believed universal medicine rather than a doubtful claim
catholicon
vspanpharmacon
  • Archaic
9.9

A medicine said to cure every disease

is a general supposed universal medicine without historical alchemy link

Antonyms

ineffective treatment
1 3.7

Care or medicine that does not make someone better

How Universal

panpharmacon
  • Archaic
9.9
cure
771 2.5
remedy
77 3.4
specific
  • Specialized
8.6

Surface Forms

panpharmacon singular
panpharmacons plural

Morphology

panpharmacon = pharmacon (opaque) = pan + pharmacon

While 'pan' suggests universality, the specific meaning of a universal medicine is not directly derivable from the components.

Etymology

Panpharmacon comes from Greek parts pan- 'all' and pharmakon 'drug' or 'medicine', and the pharm part is the same as in pharmacy. So a panpharmacon is a 'drug for all', which is why it means a cure-all people once hoped would heal every disease.