mercury

mercury¹
noun

[mass noun]the chemical element of atomic number 80, a heavy silvery-white metal which is liquid at ordinary temperatures(Symbol: Hg)
（化学元素）汞，水银(符号：Hg)。亦称 quicksilver
■the column of such metal in a thermometer or barometer, or its height as indicating atmospheric temperature or pressure
水银柱
the mercury rises, the skies steam, and the nights swelter.
水银柱升高，天空多水汽，晚间闷热。
■(historical)this metal or one of its compounds used medicinally, especially to treat syphilis
(史)汞盐
The element mercury was regarded by alchemists as one of the five elementary principles of which all substances were supposed to be compounded. Its main ore is cinnabar. The main use of mercury is in batteries, switches, lamps, and other electrical equipment, and it is also used in thermometers and barometers, and in alloys (amalgams) with other metals

语源

mercury²
noun

语源

mid 16th cent.: from the genus name, from Latin mercurialis 'of the god Mercury'

热门查询

考试词汇表