quicksilver Hear it!

quicksilver definition

quick·silver (kwik′sil′vər)

noun

mercury

Etymology: ME < OE cwicseolfor < cwicu, living (see quick) + seolfor, silver: transl. of L argentum vivum, lit., living silver: from its liquid form

transitive verb

to cover with mercury

adjective

  1. of or like mercury
  2. suggestive of mercury; specif., quick, lively, brilliant, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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