n.
Pronunciation: ' m ə r-ky ə -r ē , -k( ə -)r ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ries
Etymology: Latin Mercurius, Roman god and the planet
Date: 14th century
1 a capitalized : a Roman god of commerce, eloquence, travel, cunning, and theft who serves as messenger to the other gods ― compare HERMES b often capitalized archaic : a bearer of messages or news or a conductor of travelers
2 [Middle English mercurie, from Medieval Latin mercurius, from Latin, the god] a : a silver-white poisonous heavy metallic element that is liquid at ordinary temperatures and is used especially in batteries, in dental amalgam, and in scientific instruments ― called also quicksilver ― see ELEMENT table b : the column of mercury in a thermometer or barometer also : TEMPERATURE <the mercury rose above 70 degrees>
3 capitalized : the planet nearest the sun ― see PLANET table