mercury

noun10

1. •
   A silvery-coloured, metallic chemical element with the atomic number 80; it is liquid at room temperature, and toxic.

   • The earth is all alive and covered with papillae. The largest pond is as sensitive to atmospheric changes as the globule of mercury in its tube. — 1854
2. •
   Preceded by the: mercury as used in the column of a barometer or thermometer, its fall or rise thus indicating the decrease or increase of ambient pressure or temperature.

   • The mercury there has averaged 37.6°C, 2.3°C above the February norm.
3. •
   An annual plant, now generally called annual mercury (Mercurialis annua), chiefly native to central and southern Europe which was formerly grown for its medicinal properties; French mercury, herb mercury.
4. •
   Any of several plants of the genus Mercurialis; specifically (obsolete), dog's mercury or wild mercury (Mercurialis perennis).

   • Phyllon […] may be Englished Barons Mercury or Phyllon, or Boyes Mercury or Phyllõ [Phyllon]. And the female is called […] in English Gyrles Phyllon or Mercury, Daughters Phyllon, or Mayden Mercury. — 1578
5. •
   Any of several plants resembling Mercurialis plants but of a different genus, or having similar medicinal or toxic qualities as annual mercury or dog's mercury.
6. •
   (Northern-England) Allgood or Good King Henry (Blitum bonus-henricus), a species of goosefoot native to central and southern Europe formerly cultivated as a vegetable but now generally regarded as a weed; English mercury, false mercury (obsolete).

   • This herbe is called […] in English, Good Henry, and Algood: of some it is taken for Mercurie. — 1578
7. •
   (US) Poison ivy or poison oak (genus Toxicodendron, especially the eastern poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) or Atlantic poison oak (Toxicodendron pubescens)).
8. •
   (historical) A preparation containing mercury, especially calomel (mercurous chloride) or corrosive sublimate (mercuric chloride), formerly used as a medicine to treat syphilis, etc.
9. •
   (historical) One of the elemental principles formerly thought to be present in all metals.
10. •
    (figurative, no longer used) Liveliness, volatility.

    • Religion thou hast none: thy Mercury / Has pass'd though every Sect, or theirs through Thee. — 1682

verb3

1. •
   (historical) To apply or coat (something) with mercury or a preparation containing mercury.

   • An image is but an appearance on glass that has been mercuried. It cannot be a friend. — 1929
2. •
   (historical) To administer to (someone) a medicine containing mercury.
3. •
   (no longer used, rare) to apply to (the face) a preparation of mercury to beautify it

noun7

1. •
   The first planet in the Solar system with the closest orbit to the Sun, named after the god; represented by ☿.
2. •
   (no longer used) Quicksilver, mercury. (No longer capitalized, as the name of the metal is no longer recognized as that of the planet.)
3. •
   (no longer used) A carrier of tidings.
4. •
   (no longer used) A newsboy, a messenger.
5. •
   (no longer used) Someone who carries messages between lovers; a go-between.
6. •
   (no longer used) A newspaper.

   • No allusion to it is to be found in the monthly Mercuries. — 1849
7. •
   (no longer used) A footman.

   • Enter Mr. Tulkinghorn, followed by Mercuries with lamps and candles. — 1852