quicksilver water

1 definition found

quicksilver water - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Quicksilver \Quick"sil`ver\, n. [Quick living + silver; -- so
     called from its fluidity; cf. G. quecksilber, L. argentum
     vivum. See Quick, a.] (Chem.)
     The metal mercury; -- so called from its resemblance to
     liquid silver.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Quicksilver horizon, a mercurial artificial horizon. See
        under Horizon.
  
     Quicksilver water, a solution of mercury nitrate used in
        artificial silvering; quick water.
        [1913 Webster]