φίλτρον properly φίλητρον, from φιλέω a love-charm, (cf. Shakspeareʼs "medicines to make me love him"), ἐστὶν φίλτρα μοι θελκτήρια ἔρωτος Eur.; of the robe of Nessus by which Deianira hoped to win back the love of Hercules, Soph. generally, a charm, spell, as a means of winning or influencing others, hence the bit is called φ. ἵππειον, Pind.; Apolloʼs oracles are φίλτρα τόλμης spells to produce boldness, Aesch.; children are a φίλτρον of love to their parents, Eur., etc. in pl. love, affection, Eur.