in Heathen Antiquity, denotes the solid food of the gods, in contradistinction from their drink, which was called nectar. It had the appellation ambrosia (compounded of the particle privative, and ἀρεσις mortal), as being supposed to render those immortal who fed on it.

AMBROSIA is also a splendid kind of title, given by some physicians to certain alexipharmic compositions of extraordinary virtue. The name was particularly given to a famous antidote of Philip of Macedon against all poisons, bites, and stings of venomous creatures, as well as many internal diseases.