n, pl  -ries  1  :  a heavy silver-white poisonous metallic element that is liquid at ordinary temperatures and used esp. in scientific instruments - symbol Hg - called also quicksilver  - see ELEMENTtable    2  :  a pharmaceutical preparation containing mercury or a compound of it
 
Mercury Roman mythological character. In Roman mythology Mercury became identified with the Greek god Hermes. This god was known especially as the fleet-footed messenger of the gods. He was also the god of science and the arts and the patron of travelers and athletes. He is typically represented in art as a young man wearing a winged helmet and winged sandals and bearing a caduceus. The metal mercury was named after him most probably because he symbolizes mobility.
 
   
 
Similar sounding terms:  mark·er 
 
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