PHILTRUM

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 23 March 2012

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PHILTRUM  (n. pl. PHILTRA)

Definition(s):

1. (n.) the indentation between the upper lip and the nose
2. (n.) a love potion or charm

Useful information for game players:

• Front hooks: (none)
• Back hooks: (none)
• Anagrams: (none)
• Longer extensions: (none)
• Wraparounds: (none)
• Other Spellings: (none)
• Related Forms: PHILTER (v.), PHILTRE (v.)

Epilogue:
Shapely lips have long been associated with love and romance, and that is probably why the Greek philtron (“love potion”) came to be used to describe the groove in the upper lip.  The same root is behind the verb PHILTER (or PHILTRE), meaning “to put under the spell of a love potion.”


Recapping this week’s featured words:
DIASTEMA, GLABELLA, THENAR, and PHILTRUM

Also given a nod:
DIASTEM, EQUIPOLLENT, GLABRATE, GLABROUS, GLABELLAR, GLABRESCENT, PHENAL, PHILTER, PHILTRE, and POLLEX


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