/ ˈmɜːkjəri; NAmE ˈmɜːrk-/ noun
[ U ] ( symb Hg ) a chemical element. Mercury is a poisonous silver liquid metal, used in thermometers .
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Latin Mercurius , from merx , merc- merchandise. Mercury is the Roman god of eloquence, skill, trading and thieving, as well as being herald and messenger of the gods.