quicksilver
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quick·sil·ver
(kwĭk′sĭl′vər)n.
See mercury.
adj.
Unpredictable; mercurial: "a quicksilver character, cool and willful at one moment, utterly fragile the next" (Sven Birkerts).
[Middle English, from Old English cwicseolfor, living silver (translation of Latin argentum vīvum) : cwic, cwicu, alive; see gwei- in Indo-European roots + seolfor, silver; see silver.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
quicksilver
(ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvə)n
(Elements & Compounds) another name for mercury1
adj
rapid or unpredictable in movement or change: a quicksilver temper.
[Old English, from cwicu alive + seolfer silver]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
quick•sil•ver
(ˈkwɪkˌsɪl vər)n. v.t.
2. to amalgamate (metal).
adj. 3. unpredictably changeable; mercurial.
[before 1000; Middle English qwyksilver, Old English cwicseolfor (translation Latin argentum vīvum) literally, living silver]
quick′sil`ver•y, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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| Noun | 1. |  quicksilver - a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperaturesmetal, metallic element - any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc. cinnabar - a heavy reddish mineral consisting of mercuric sulfide; the chief source of mercury calomel, mercurous chloride - a tasteless colorless powder used medicinally as a cathartic |
| Adj. | 1. |  quicksilver - liable to sudden unpredictable change; "erratic behavior"; "fickle weather"; "mercurial twists of temperament"; "a quicksilver character, cool and willful at one moment, utterly fragile the next"changeful, changeable - such that alteration is possible; having a marked tendency to change; "changeable behavior"; "changeable moods"; "changeable prices" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
زِئْبَق
rtuť
kviksølv
elohopea
kvikasilfur
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
quick
(kwik) adjective1. done, said, finished etc in a short time. a quick trip into town.
2. moving, or able to move, with speed. He's a very quick walker; I made a grab at the dog, but it was too quick for me.
3. doing something, able to do something, or done, without delay; prompt; lively. He is always quick to help; a quick answer; He's very quick at arithmetic.
adverb quickly. quick-frozen food.
ˈquickly adverbˈquicken verb
to make or become quicker. He quickened his pace.
ˈquickness nounˈquicklime noun
lime which has not been mixed with water.
ˈquicksands noun plural (an area of) loose, wet sand that sucks in anyone or anything that stands on it.
ˈquicksilver noun mercury.
ˌquick-ˈtempered adjective easily made angry.
ˌquick-ˈwitted adjective thinking very quickly. a quick-witted policeman.
ˌquick-ˈwittedly adverbˌquick-ˈwittedness noun
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.