Quicksilver

Pronunciation: /ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvər/

Definitions of quicksilver

noun a shiny, silvery-white metallic chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80, also known as mercury

Example Sentences

A1 Quicksilver is a shiny, silver-colored liquid metal.

A2 The superhero known as Quicksilver has the ability to move at incredible speeds.

B1 The quicksilver in the thermometer rose rapidly as the temperature increased.

B2 The artist used quicksilver to create a stunning metallic effect in the painting.

C1 The alchemist was skilled in manipulating quicksilver to create potions and elixirs.

C2 The quicksilver properties of the material made it ideal for conducting electricity efficiently.

Examples of quicksilver in a Sentence

formal The scientist studied the properties of quicksilver in the lab.

informal I heard quicksilver is really hard to handle.

slang Don't mess with quicksilver, it's tricky stuff.

figurative Her thoughts moved as quick as quicksilver, always changing and hard to pin down.

Grammatical Forms of quicksilver

• past tense: quicksilvered
• plural: quicksilvers
• comparative: more quicksilver
• superlative: most quicksilver
• present tense: quicksilvers
• future tense: will quicksilver
• perfect tense: have quicksilvered
• continuous tense: is quicksilvering
• singular: quicksilver
• positive degree: quicksilver
• infinitive: to quicksilver
• gerund: quicksilvering
• participle: quicksilvered

Origin and Evolution of quicksilver

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'quicksilver' originated from Middle English 'quiksilver' which was derived from Old English 'cwicseolfor', combining 'cwic' meaning 'alive' or 'quick' and 'seolfor' meaning 'silver'.

Evolution of the word: Initially used to refer to the element mercury due to its liquid and flowing properties, the term 'quicksilver' later became less commonly used as 'mercury' became the preferred term in modern times for the same element.