lewensessens, noun

/ˈlɪəvənsˌesəns/
Forms:
Also levens-essens.
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, lewens combining form of lewe life + essens essence.
‘Essence of Life’, a patent household remedy for stomach and digestive complaints. Also partial translation of lewens essence. See also (old) Dutch medicine (Dutch adjective sense 2).
1919 Dunell, Ebden & Co.’s Price List Oct. 20Levens Essence, Kiesow’s, small 11/6.
1934 Sunday Times 24 June (Swart)Paregoric, krampdruppels, lewensessens and the host of other old Dutch remedies and patent medicines can now only be brought from chemists.
1934 C.P. Swart Supplement to Pettman. 106Lewensessens,..The name of a well-known Dutch medicine — an essence with curative properties.
1943 I. Frack S. Afr. Doctor 118The millions of bottles of ‘bors-druppels,’..‘levens-essens,’..that are sold must really be staggering.
1949 L.G. Green In Land of Afternoon 44When ‘Lewens Essence’ ceases to give instant relief to the troubled stomach.
1958 E.H. Burrows Hist. of Medicine 191Levens essens (lit., Essence of Life): used for indigestion, biliousness, headache and for ‘swellings’.
1972 S. Lynne Glittering Gold 16‘Levensessens,’ an old Dutch remedy — very good; puts you right in two ticks; one of the few medicines my old Voortrekker forefathers took with them when they trekked north to get away from the English.
1992 Guide to Lennon’s Dutch MedicinesLewensessens — A famous stomach tonic. For constipation, stomach disorders resulting from incorrect diet or excessive eating or drinking.
‘Essence of Life’, a patent household remedy for stomach and digestive complaints. Also partial translation of lewens essence.
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Afrikaans
letsemma, nounn.liberal, nounn. & adjectiveadj.
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