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.
Quicksilver horizon, a mercurial artificial horizon. See under Horizon. — Quicksilver water, a solution of mercury nitrate used in artificial silvering; quick water.