quicksilver

[ kwik-sil-ver ]

/ ˈkwɪkˌsɪl vər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR quicksilver ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the metallic element mercury.

verb (used with object)

to amalgamate (metal) with mercury.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

quicklime, quickly, quickness, quicksand, quickset, quicksilver, quickstep, quickthorn, quickwater, quid, quid pro quo

Origin of quicksilver

before 1000; Middle English qwyksilver, Old English cwicseolfor (translation Latin argentum vīvum) literally, living silver

Related formsquick·sil·ver·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for quicksilver

Crystal is a onetime member of the Avengers, and in various storylines is also married to Quicksilver.
Inside Marvel’s Phase 3: How ‘The Avengers’ Cross Paths with Black Panther and the New Superheroes|Marlow Stern|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The end credit scene of Captain America: The Winter Soldier introduces the new Avengers the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.
A Guide to Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, the Twins Teased at the End of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’|Rich Goldstein|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who portrayed the eponymous character in Kick-Ass, will play her brother, Quicksilver.
A Guide to Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, the Twins Teased at the End of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’|Rich Goldstein|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Quicksilver is capable of moving and thinking at incredible speeds, and eventually traveling through time.
A Guide to Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, the Twins Teased at the End of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’|Rich Goldstein|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, or Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, first appeared as X-Men villains in 1964.
A Guide to Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, the Twins Teased at the End of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’|Rich Goldstein|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How is one to keep such a piece of quicksilver as you in a state of placid stodge!
Captain Desmond, V.C.|Maud Diver
Trying to stop gossip is like trying to put your finger on a drop of quicksilver.
Sheila of Big Wreck Cove|James A. Cooper
Look up at the mountain, yonder—high up, above the quicksilver mines.
Wandering Heath|Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
It is also said that they rubbed them over with quicksilver, which being wrought upon by the heat of the sun caused them to move.
Selections From The Kur-an|Edward William Lane
“Quicksilver Bob” he was called as a boy in Lancaster, because he used to buy all that metal he could for experiments.
Historic Inventions|Rupert S. Holland

British Dictionary definitions for quicksilver

quicksilver

/ (ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvə) /

noun

another name for mercury (def. 1)

adjective

rapid or unpredictable in movement or changea quicksilver temper

Word Origin for quicksilver

Old English, from cwicu alive (see quick) + seolfer silver

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for quicksilver

quicksilver

Old English cwicseolfor, literally "living silver," translating Latin argentum vivum (cf. Italian argento vivo), literally "living silver;" so called from its liquid mobility. See quick (adj.) + silver (n.). Cf. Dutch kwikzilver, Old High German quecsilbar, German quecksilber, French vif-argent, Italian argenta viva.