hydrargyric (ˌhaɪdrɑːˈdʒɪərɪk) or hydrargyral (haɪˈdrɑːdʒɪrəl)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from New Latin, from Latin hydrargyrus from Greek hydrarguros, from hydro- + arguros silver
mercury in British English
(ˈmɜːkjʊrɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ries
1. Also called: quicksilver, hydrargyrum
a heavy silvery-white toxic liquid metallic element occurring principally in cinnabar: used in thermometers, barometers, mercury-vapour lamps, and dental amalgams. Symbol: Hg; atomic no: 80; atomic wt: 200.59; valency: 1 or 2; relative density: 13.546; melting pt: –38.842°C; boiling pt: 357°C
2.
any plant of the euphorbiaceous genus Mercurialis
dog's mercury
3. archaic
a messenger or courier
Word origin
C14: from Latin Mercurius messenger of Jupiter, god of commerce; related to merx merchandise
hydrargyrum in American English
(haiˈdrɑːrdʒərəm)
noun
mercury
Derived forms
hydrargyric (ˌhaidrɑːrˈdʒɪrɪk)
adjective
Word origin
[1555–65; ‹ NL, equiv. to L hydrargyr(us) (‹ Gk hydrárgyros mercury, equiv. to hydr-hydr-1 + árgyros silver) + -um, on model of aurum, etc.]This word is first recorded in the period 1555–65. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: chorus, clearance, diabetes, incompatible, review