mercury
noun
mer·cu·ry
| \ ˈmər-kyə-rē
, -k(ə-)rē\
, -k(ə-)rē\
plural mercuries
Definition of mercury
1a
capitalized
: a Roman god of commerce, eloquence, travel, cunning, and theft who serves as messenger to the other gods — compare hermes
b
often capitalized,
archaic
: a bearer of messages or news or a conductor of travelers
2 [ Middle English mercurie, from Medieval Latin mercurius, from Latin, the god ]
a
: a silver-white poisonous heavy metallic element that is liquid at ordinary temperatures and is used especially in batteries, in dental amalgam, and in scientific instruments
— called also quicksilver
— see Chemical Elements Table
b
: the column of mercury in a thermometer or barometer
also
: temperature
the mercury rose above 70 degrees