quicksilver

1 of 2

noun

quick·​sil·​ver ˈkwik-ˌsil-vər 

: mercury sense 2a

quicksilver

2 of 2

adjective

: resembling or suggestive of quicksilver

especially : mercurial sense 3

Examples of quicksilver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The poet, carefully tracking the quicksilver moods of her subject, declines to impose her own view of the matter. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025

In 1260, Vincent of Beauvais gave instructions to travelers to use poultices (a dressing for wounds) made of oil, plants and quicksilver (mercury) to prevent and manage blisters — an all too frequent ailment experienced by pilgrims walking long distances. —Megan Cassidy-Welch, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025

Adjective

The comment was made when internet companies were thought to be quicksilver entities rather than institutions building legacies. —Joanne McNeil, Harper's magazine, 20 Jan. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1655, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quicksilver

• silver

Kids Definition

quicksilver

noun

quick·​sil·​ver

-ˌsil-vər

: mercury sense 1a

Etymology

Noun

Old English cwicseolfor, from cwic "alive" and seolfor "silver"

Word Origin

The metal mercury resembles silver in color. Unlike silver and most other metals, though, mercury is liquid at ordinary temperatures. For that reason it is able to flow and to move almost as if it were alive. The Old English word for mercury was cwicseolfor, a combination of cwic, meaning "alive" or "moving," and seolfor, meaning "silver." The Modern English quicksilver comes from the Old English cwicseolfor.

Medical Definition

quicksilver

noun

quick·​sil·​ver -ˌsil-vər 

: mercury sense 1