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Where does the word "panacea" come from? It comes from Greek Panakeia, and was adopted directly into English (1540s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "panacea" come from? It comes from Greek Panakeia, and was adopted directly into English (1540s).
Panacea’s story begins in Greek: Panakeia meant “the goddess of universal healing.” The goddess of universal remedy, from pan- (all) and akos (cure). It reached English by 1540s as panacea. Broadened from the goddess's name to any supposed cure-all. Today, panacea means a solution or remedy believed to solve all problems or cure all ills.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient Panakeia "the goddess of universal healing", the goddess of universal remedy, from pan- (all) and akos (cure).
- Stage 2 · English · 1540s panacea "a solution or remedy for all problems", broadened from the goddess's name to any supposed cure-all.