panacea Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (Greek mythology) the goddess of healing; daughter of Aesculapius and sister of Hygeia
  2. noun hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists
    catholicon; cure-all; nostrum.

WordNet

Pan`a*ce"a noun
Etymology
L., fr. Gr. , fr. all-healing; , , all + to heal.
Definitions
  1. A remedy for all diseases; a universal medicine; a cure-all; catholicon; hence, a relief or solace for affliction.
  2. (Bot.) The herb allheal.

Webster 1913