panace
(ˈpænəsiː)
Also 6–7 panaces, 8 panacee.
[Adapted or adopted forms of L. panax and panaces, synonyms of panacēa (see below), as name of a plant. Panaces retains the L. form; panacee was prob. from Fr.; Lyly's panace, if of two syllables, would represent L. panax.]
A fabulous herb to which was ascribed the power of healing all diseases; ‘All-heal’.
Variously identified, as by Pliny, with Ligusticum, Lovage, and Opopanax, and by the 16th c. herbalists with several other plants: cf. all-heal.
| 1513 Douglas æneis xii. vii. 91 The weill smelland herb hait panaces. 1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 425 Where is that precious herbe Panace which cureth all diseases? 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 3 Men talke of Panaces the herbe, that it was good for all diseases. 1697 Dryden æneid xii. 617 Venus..brews Th' extracted Liquor with Ambrosian Dews, And od'rous Panacee. 1740 C. Pitt Virg. æneid xii. 583 The queen..Tempers with scented panacee the whole. 1866 Conington æneid xii. 424 With juices of ambrosia blent And panace of fragrant scent. |