Quicksilver

Quicksilver , noun

[Quick living + silver; -- so called from its fluidity; compare German quecksilber, Latin argentum vivum. See Quick, a.]

(Chemistry) The metal mercury; -- so called from its resemblance to liquid silver.

Collocations (2)

Quicksilver horizon , a mercurial artificial horizon. See under Horizon.

Quicksilver water , a solution of mercury nitrate used in artificial silvering; quick water.