What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
quicksilver
Example
The quicksilver spilled out of the broken thermometer. [quicksilver: noun]
Example
Her quicksilver mind made her an excellent problem solver. [quicksilver: adjective]
hydrargyrum
Example
The dentist used a dental amalgam that contained hydrargyrum. [hydrargyrum: noun]
Example
The experiment required the use of hydrargyrum as a catalyst. [hydrargyrum: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Quicksilver is less common than hydrargyrum in everyday language, as it is often replaced by the more common term 'mercury'. Hydrargyrum is more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts due to its precise meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between quicksilver and hydrargyrum?
Hydrargyrum is more formal than quicksilver, as it is primarily used in scientific or technical contexts. Quicksilver, on the other hand, can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the intended meaning.
