ˈmərkyərē, ˈmə̄k-, ˈməik-, -k(ə)rē, -ri noun
( -es )
1.
[Middle English mercurie, from Medieval Latin mercurius, from Latin Mercurius Mercury, ancient Roman god of commerce and messenger of the gods; probably from the comparison of the mobility of the metal to the traditional fleet-footedness of the god]
a. : a heavy silver-white univalent and bivalent poisonous metallic element that is the only metal liquid at ordinary temperatures, that occurs native and in cinnabar, calomel, and a few other minerals, that is prepared usually by roasting cinnabar and condensing the vapors, and that is used chiefly in scientific instruments (as electrical apparatus, control devices, thermometers, barometers), mercury boilers, mercury pumps, and mercury-vapor lamps — symbol Hg ; called also quicksilver ; see amalgam , element table
b. : the mercury in a thermometer or barometer
in a climate where the mercury sports around 110 the whisky should be only of the best quality — D.D.Martin
c. : pressure (as in the manifold of an engine) measured in inches or millimeters of mercury
pulling between forty-seven and fifty inches of mercury — J.M.Redding & H.I.Leyshon
d. : a pharmaceutical preparation containing the metal mercury or a compound of it
e. often capitalized , obsolete : mercurial quality : brilliance, inconstancy, or volatility of mood or attitude
f. : the principle of liquidity and volatility in alchemy
2.
[Middle English mercurie from Mercurie the god Mercury, from Latin Mercurius; after Latin ( herba ) mercurialis dog's mercury]
: any of several plants: as
a. : a plant of the genus Mercurialis ; especially : dog's mercury
b. : good-king-henry
c. : poison ivy
3.
[after Mercury, messenger of the gods, from Middle English Mercurie ]
a. often capitalized , archaic : a bearer of messages or news or a conductor of travelers
b. usually capitalized , obsolete
(1) : a statue of Mercury
(2) : signpost
(3) : herm
c. usually capitalized , obsolete : a hawker of pamphlets