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stranger
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stranger
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Years ago I had known a word defined as the cleft, or dimple, in the upper lip, directly below the nose. I knew this to be a useful word, particularly for artists, since this was a facial feature requiring considerable skill to express the thoughts or emotions of the person portrayed. I accidentally came across the word in an inverse dictionary after several years of searching through books of anatomy, art, etc. I now wonder if this is the only word describing this facial feature or had I known another synonomous word. Apparently the origin of the word, philtrum, is associated with the word, philtre, a love potion, because this feature was considered a particular mark of beauty and therefore capable of arousing love. Any info will be appreciated.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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welcome windar! strangely enough, this word doesn't even register on many of the major online d's; when it does, it's with your definition. still looking.... 
formerly known as etaoin...
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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The mid portion of the upper lip or prolabium is called "philtrum". The philtrum of most persons has a vertical groove. This concavity can be used to hold perfumes or a "Philtron" (Greek for "love potion"). From URL: http://www.consultsos.com/pandora/in210102.htmWritten by a physician who appears to be a serious scholar. Though with a few quidities.
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addict
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addict
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I now wonder if this is the only word describing this facial feature...
Des Moines
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Dear doc_comfort: I don't get it. What do some monks got to do with philtrum?
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stranger
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stranger
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Many thanks for the extensive reference.
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addict
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Des Moines
I don't get it. What do some monks got to do with philtrum?
There is a deeper meaning.
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enthusiast
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enthusiast
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they are the English words corresponding to the Italian "filtro".
Indeed, Philtre is not only a love potion, but a magic potion.
And, filter (of cigarette) and strainer refer to the same action (to clean , for example a liquid, passing inside).
And this happens often while cooking, or even preparing some magic potion.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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One of the more interesting philtra was that sported by Albert Einstein. In fact, it's preserved along with his brain (at Princeton, I guess), and is referred to as "the thinking man's philtrum."
TEd
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enthusiast
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enthusiast
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That's rather odd - my word origins dictionary states that filter is not in any way related to the Greek philos, meaning beloved ect. So which of these origins does philtrum belong to?
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