English · Word Candidate

mercury

/ˈmɜːkjʊɹi/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: mercuries · mercurying · mercuried

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Senses relating to the metal. — A silvery-coloured, metallic chemical element with the atomic number 80; it is liquid at room temperature, and toxic.

Noun

Examples

When therfore they perceaue a ſufficient quantitie of golde thus remaynynge on the tables, they gather it with diligence and put it in a tray or great ſhallowe dyſſhe of wod […] they beate or mixte (or amalgame it as they caule it) with Mercurie or quickſyluer, […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Senses relating to the metal. — Preceded by the: mercury (noun sense 1) as used in the column of a barometer or thermometer, its fall or rise thus indicating the decrease or increase of ambient pressure or temperature.

Noun

Examples

The mercury there has averaged 37.6°C, 2.3°C above the February norm.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To apply or coat (something) with mercury (noun sense 1) or a preparation containing mercury.

Verb

Examples

In proceeding to elucidate my process, I will divide it into six parts, the first three of which will be confined to plate cleaning; the fourth to coating with chemicals; the fifth to mercurying and chemicals, and the sixth to finishing with general remarks.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To administer to (someone) a medicine containing mercury.

Verb

Examples

As for bloodletting, their prime cooler, it is inflammatory; and they know it (parrot-wise), for the thumping heart, and bounding pulse, of pashints blid [bled] by butchers in black, and bullocks blid by butchers in blue, prove it; and they have recorded this in all their books; yet stabbed, and bit

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “mercury” mean?

Senses relating to the metal. — A silvery-coloured, metallic chemical element with the atomic number 80; it is liquid at room temperature, and toxic.

Is “mercury” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.