quicksilver

noun
UK: /ˈkwɪksɪlvər/
US: /ˈkwɪksɪlvər/

  1. Mercury, a heavy, silver-white liquid metal.

    1. The old thermometer contained quicksilver.
    2. The scientist carefully handled the quicksilver in the lab, avoiding spills because of its toxicity.

  2. Used to describe someone or something that moves or changes very quickly; lively and volatile.

    1. Her quicksilver wit made her fun.
    2. The play was filled with quicksilver changes in mood, keeping the audience engaged.

Synonyms

lively nimble mercury volatile agile
quicksilver transitive-verb

  1. To coat or treat with mercury.

    1. They quicksilvered the mirror glass.
    2. The alchemist attempted to quicksilver the base metal in hopes of transmuting it to gold.
quicksilver adjective

  1. Having the characteristics of mercury; changeable and unpredictable.

    1. He has a quicksilver temper.
    2. The market responded with quicksilver reactions to the news, rising and falling rapidly.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "quicksilver" in English means: Mercury, a heavy, silver-white liquid metal., Used to describe someone or something that moves or changes very quickly; lively and volatile..

The phonetic transcription of "quicksilver" is /ˈkwɪksɪlvər/ in British English and /ˈkwɪksɪlvər/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "quicksilver": lively, nimble, mercury, volatile, agile.

Example usage of "quicksilver": "The old thermometer contained quicksilver.". More examples on the page.