alcahest

/ˈælkəhɛst/
noun
  1. A hypothetical universal solvent sought by alchemists, believed to be able to dissolve any substance.
    • In medieval stories, the alcahest was said to be the key to transforming base metals into silver.
    • The alchemist spent his whole life searching for the alcahest, a liquid that could dissolve gold.
    • Many old books describe the alcahest as a magical fluid that could break down any material.
  2. Something that has the power to solve all problems or overcome all difficulties.
    • There is no alcahest for fixing a broken relationship; it takes time and effort.
    • The new software was marketed as an alcahest for all data management issues.
    • People often look for an alcahest to cure their financial troubles, but hard work is usually the answer.
Synonyms
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