quicksilver

[ kwik-sil-ver ]

noun

1. the metallic element mercury.

verb (used with object)

1. to amalgamate (metal) with mercury.

quicksilver

/ ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvə /

noun

1. See mercury
   another name for mercury

adjective

1. rapid or unpredictable in movement or change

   a quicksilver temper

Other Words From

• quicksilver·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quicksilver¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quicksilver¹

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

Example Sentences

I found myself in a grayscale photo of milky clouds and water like quicksilver, interrupted by the odd patch of evergreen and autumn brown.

From MIT Technology Review

His performance here is fascinating to watch, with its quicksilver shifts from charming to alarming.

From Time

Crystal is a onetime member of the Avengers, and in various storylines is also married to Quicksilver.

From The Daily Beast

Because she just has a real quicksilver way of thinking and moving through the world.

From The Daily Beast

The end credit scene of Captain America: The Winter Soldier introduces the new Avengers the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.

From The Daily Beast

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who portrayed the eponymous character in Kick-Ass, will play her brother, Quicksilver.

From The Daily Beast

Quicksilver is capable of moving and thinking at incredible speeds, and eventually traveling through time.

From The Daily Beast

With the one quintal that resulted therefrom, they incorporated on the said day one libra of quicksilver.

From Project Gutenberg

Even Benny caught the fever of conquering the mischievous water which slipped from their grasp like quicksilver.

From Project Gutenberg

I took out the plug and shook out the little dab of quicksilver, and set my teeth in.

From Project Gutenberg

It is intended to measure the weight of the air, therefore the quicksilver in it must be exposed to the pressure of the air.

From Project Gutenberg

The main elements, he says, are quicksilver and sulphur; and from these all metals and minerals are compounded.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• capricious
• changeable
• flighty
• temperamental
• unpredictable
• unstable
• volatile