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

Some of the songs previewed for Billboard recall the quicksilver rap-rock aggression that made the band diamond-sellers; others iterate on specific eras, like the pulverizing metal of 2014’s The Hunting Party or the atmospheric alt-rock of 2010’s A Thousand Suns. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Sep. 2024

Accounts of him mention his remarkably expressive eyes, conduits to his quicksilver soul. —Phyllis Rose, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2024

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

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