# quicksilver

/ˈkwɪkˈsɪɫvɝ/ (US) · /kwˈɪksɪlvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/quicksilver
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the metal mercury

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

a liquid silver metal, also called mercury, that was often used in old thermometers.

For teachers: the chemical element mercury. Uncountable in this sense and largely replaced by 'mercury' in scientific contexts.

- The broken thermometer spilled beads of quicksilver across the floor.
- In the dim light of the laboratory, the quicksilver pooled in the bottom of the flask like a living, liquid mirror.

### 2. changing quickly

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

changing very fast and often, like someone's mood or a person's fast movements.

For teachers: characterised by rapid and unpredictable change in mood, movement, or temperament.

- The young actor was famous for his quicksilver changes of emotion on stage.
- Her quicksilver wit made her a formidable debater, as she could pivot between arguments before her opponents had time to react.

Teaching tip: Learners should use this to describe personality or movement rather than physical weather or temperature.

### 3. to coat with mercury

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

to cover a surface, like the back of a mirror, with a layer of mercury.

For teachers: to treat or overlay a surface with an amalgam of mercury and tin.

- The craftsman used an old method to quicksilver the glass for the mirror.
- The artisan spent hours learning how to quicksilver the glass plates to achieve the specific reflective quality required for the restoration project.

Usage: This is a transitive verb requiring a direct object.

## Examples

- The old thermometer was filled with quicksilver.
- Before modern electronics, quicksilver was essential for the construction of accurate barometers and thermometers.
- The alchemist's laboratory was filled with vials of quicksilver, though the volatile nature of the substance made it a constant source of concern for the apprentices.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.