Pronunciation: [fˈɪltə] (IPA) 
The word "philter" is commonly misspelled as "filter," but the correct spelling is "philter" with a "ph" at the beginning. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈfɪltər/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The "ph" is pronounced like an "f" sound, and the "i" and "e" are both pronounced with a short "ih" sound. The last syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, which is the unstressed "uh" sound.
Philter is a term with historical roots, defined as a potion or charm believed to have magical or supernatural powers. Often associated with love potions or enchantments, a philter was traditionally a concoction created by mixing various ingredients with the intention of inducing desired emotions or influencing someone's thoughts or behaviors.
In ancient times, philters were often used by sorcerers, witches, or alchemists who claimed to possess knowledge of secret formulas and magical techniques. These potions were believed to have the power to attract or create affection, infatuation, or even obsession between people. The use of philters was prevalent in folklore, mythology, and various cultural traditions throughout the world.
In contemporary usage, the term "philter" has come to represent any substance or concoction that is believed to possess the ability to influence or alter emotions or desires, although it is recognized more as a metaphorical concept rather than a literal magical potion. It is often used in literary works or artistic contexts to create an atmosphere of mystique, allure, or enchantment.
While philters are often associated with love or romance, they can also pertain to other aspects of life, such as luck, wealth, or vitality. The term philter can evoke a sense of antiquity and mystery, bringing to mind ancient practices and beliefs surrounding the power of potions and enchantments.
• A potion intended or adapted to excite love.
• To give a love-potion to; to charm or excite to love.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "philter" can be traced back to the Greek word "φίλτρον" (phíltron), which meant "love potion". This Greek term derives from the verb "φιλέω" (phileó), meaning "to love" or "to kiss". Over time, the word made its way into Latin as "philtrum" and was adopted into Old English as "filtre". The modern spelling "philter" originated in the 16th century and has been in use since then to refer to a potion or charm believed to arouse feelings of love or attraction.
