quicksilver
[ kwik-sil-ver ]
/ ˈkwɪkˌsɪl vər /
noun
the metallic element mercury.
verb (used with object)
to amalgamate (metal) with mercury.
Origin of quicksilver
before 1000; Middle English
qwyksilver, Old English
cwicseolfor (translation Latin
argentum vīvum) literally, living silver
OTHER WORDS FROM quicksilver
quick·sil·ver·y, adjectiveWords nearby quicksilver
quickie,
quicklime,
quickly,
quicksand,
quickset,
quicksilver,
quickstep,
quickthorn,
quickwater,
quid,
quid pro quo
Example sentences from the Web for quicksilver
British Dictionary definitions for quicksilver
quicksilver
/ (ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvə) /
noun
another name for mercury (def. 1)
adjective
rapid or unpredictable in movement or change
a quicksilver temper
Word Origin for quicksilver
Old English, from
cwicu alive (see
quick) +
seolfer silver