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单词 mercury
释义

mercury1

/ˈməːkjəri /
noun [mass noun]
1The chemical element of atomic number 80, a heavy silvery-white metal which is liquid at ordinary temperatures: we completed a programme to test all of our coal-fired plants for mercury and other air-toxins (Symbol: Hg) The wetlands dense foliage has the ability to handle heavy metals, like mercury, zinc, nickel and copper....
  • For example, tobacco plants can absorb heavy metals, mercury, copper, and lead.
  • Combined with silver, mercury, copper and antimony, however, gold is to be found finely distributed.
Also called quicksilver.
1.1The column of mercury in a thermometer or barometer, or its height as indicating atmospheric temperature or pressure: coastal sunshine sends mercury soaring...
  • A type of blood pressure monitor that uses a column of mercury to measure cuff pressure.
  • This is because the traditional blood pressure monitor - known as a sphygmomanometer - uses a column of mercury to measure pressure.
  • Heat merges with the steady beat of the waves, sending testosterone and adrenaline levels rising like mercury in a thermometer.
1.2 historical Mercury or one of its compounds used medicinally, especially to treat syphilis: one wonders how many unfortunates owed their demise to his prescription of mercury to clarify the spleen...
  • Shakespeare was probably being treated with mercury for syphilis, it seems.
  • In the late 15th century, the famous alchemist Paracelsus began to prescribe mercury to treat syphilis.
  • Many people know about the former use of mercury in treating syphilis, for the substance had some benefit and the remedy endured for centuries.

Origin

Middle English: from Latin Mercurius (see Mercury (sense 1)).

  • Mercury was the Roman god of eloquence, skill, trading, and thieving, and was the messenger of the gods. His name came from Latin merx ‘merchandise’, the source also of market (Old English), merchant (Middle English), and mercenary (Late Middle English). In later Latin mercurius was also the name of a silvery-white metal, liquid at room temperature. The use probably arose from the fluidity of the metal being likened to the rapid motion associated with the god. In English the metallic element was first called mercury in the Middle Ages—its earlier name was quicksilver (see quick).

mercury2

/ˈməːkjəri /
noun
A plant of a genus which includes dog’s mercury.
  • Genus Mercurialis, family Euphorbiaceae.

Origin

Mid 16th century: from the genus name, from Latin mercurialis 'of the god Mercury'.

Mercury3

/ˈməːkjəri /
1 Roman Mythology The Roman god of eloquence, skill, trading, and thieving, herald and messenger of the gods, who was identified with Hermes.
From Latin Mercurius, from merx, merc- 'merchandise'
1.1Used in names of newspapers and journals: the Leicester Mercury...
  • His mother, Doreen, has spoken out in the local Mercury newspaper about the spate of attacks.
  • A Wollongong specialist told the Mercury he had been told of two false positive readings.
  • Did his will request The Mercury's editor try to force him out early?
2 Astronomy A small planet that is the closest to the sun in the solar system, sometimes visible to the naked eye just after sunset.

Mercury orbits within the orbit of Venus at an average distance of 57.9 million km from the sun. With a diameter of 4,878 km it is only a third larger than earth’s moon, which it resembles in having a heavily cratered surface. Its ‘day’ of 58.65 days is precisely two thirds the length of its ‘year’ of 87.97 days. Daytime temperatures average 170°C. There is no atmosphere and the planet has no satellites.

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更新时间:2024/9/21 11:06:04