quacksalver

[ kwak-sal-ver ]

noun

1. a quack doctor.
2. a charlatan.

quacksalver

/ ˈkwækˌsælvə /

noun

1. an archaic word for quack 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of quacksalver¹

1570–80; < early Dutch (now kwakzalver ); quack ¹, salve ¹, -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of quacksalver¹

C16: from Dutch, from quack, apparently: to hawk + salf salve ¹

Example Sentences

Francis Quicksilver, would God thou hadst turned quacksalver, rather than run into these dissolute and lewd courses!

From Project Gutenberg

I have done ill to unbosom myself so far to this poisonous quacksalver.

From Project Gutenberg

Am I not yclept quacksalver by those that come not near me, and wizard by those I heal?

From Project Gutenberg