quicksilver
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of quicksilver
before 1000; Middle English qwyksilver, Old English cwicseolfor (translation Latin argentum vīvum ) literally, living silver
Explanation
Use the noun quicksilver when you need a more poetic way to talk about the element known as mercury. If you look closely at an old-fashioned thermometer, you can see the quicksilver inside it. It's more common to refer to this metal — the only one that is liquid at room temperature — as mercury, but it's also correct to call it quicksilver, which describes the properties of the element very well. Quicksilver is liquid, silver colored, and is fascinating to look at. The word comes from the sense of quick that means "alive;" the Latin root is argentum vivum, which is literally "living silver."
Vocabulary lists containing quicksilver
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
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"Coming of Age in the Dawnland," Vocabulary from the historical excerpt
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson's biggest known role is playing Pietro Maximoff, aka Quicksilver, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
From Salon • Mar. 22, 2024
I couldn’t even make it from Park City to The Canyons — a shorter distance than the gap between Whistler and Blackcomb — because the midmountain Quicksilver Gondola never opened.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 10, 2024
Quicksilver and lethal in the area, he scored 121 goals in 275 games for United after scoring 68 in just 74 for Newcastle United before a then British record £6.25m move.
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2023
The rangy star has won an Emmy for playing Colin Zabel, the young detective slightly out of his depth in “Mare of Easttown,” and Marvel fans know him as Quicksilver.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2022
The two brothers who captained the sister ships Quicksilver and Greyhound seemed sympathetic and invited them into the cabin for a glass of Arbor red.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
