quicksilver

quick·sil·ver

Q0030000 (kwĭk′sĭl′vər)n. See mercury.adj. Unpredictable; mercurial: "a quicksilver character, cool and willful at one moment, utterly fragile the next" (Sven Birkerts).

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[Middle English, from Old English cwicseolfor, living silver (translation of Latin argentum vīvum) : cwic, cwicu, alive; see g^wei- in Indo-European roots + seolfor, silver; see silver.]

quicksilver

(ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvə) n (Elements & Compounds) another name for mercury¹adjrapid or unpredictable in movement or change: a quicksilver temper. [Old English, from cwicu alive + seolfer silver]

quick•sil•ver

(ˈkwɪkˌsɪl vər)

n. 1. mercury (def. 1). 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.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	quicksilver - a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperaturesatomic number 80, Hg, hydrargyrum, mercurymetal, 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 mercurycalomel, 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"erratic, mercurial, ficklechangeful, changeable - such that alteration is possible; having a marked tendency to change; "changeable behavior"; "changeable moods"; "changeable prices"

Translations

水银

quick

(kwik) adjective1. done, said, finished etc in a short time. a quick trip into town. 快的，短暫的 快的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. 快速的 快速的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. 敏捷的，伶俐的 敏捷的，伶俐的 adverb quickly. quick-frozen food. 快速地 快速地ˈquickly adverb 快速地 快速地ˈquicken verb to make or become quicker. He quickened his pace. 加快 加快ˈquickness noun 快速 快速ˈquicklime noun lime which has not been mixed with water. 生石灰 生石灰ˈquicksands noun plural (an area of) loose, wet sand that sucks in anyone or anything that stands on it. 流沙［區］ 流沙（区） ˈquicksilver noun mercury. 水銀 水银ˌquick-ˈtempered adjective easily made angry. 易怒的 易怒的ˌquick-ˈwitted adjective thinking very quickly. a quick-witted policeman. 機智的 机智的ˌquick-ˈwittedly adverb 機智地 机智地ˌquick-ˈwittedness noun 機智 机智