MERCURY Meaning and
Definition
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Mercury is a chemical element denoted by the symbol Hg and the atomic number 80. It is a dense, silvery-white metal that is the only metallic element that exists in a liquid state at room temperature. This rare element has been known since ancient times and has various applications in scientific research, industry, and technology.
In its pure form, mercury is extremely toxic and can pose severe health risks if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Due to its high toxicity, the use of mercury has significantly declined in recent years. However, it still finds some applications in thermometers, barometers, electrical switches, and fluorescent lighting.
Mercury has a unique property of forming amalgams with many other metals, which makes it useful in various industrial processes such as gold and silver mining. It also has a high surface tension and ability to conduct electricity, which makes it valuable in laboratory settings for forming electrodes and carrying out specific experiments.
Another important form of mercury is mercury vapor, which is produced by heating the metal or compounds containing mercury. The vapor is used in various devices such as mercury vapor lamps and some types of discharge lamps. However, its use is being phased out due to environmental concerns, as mercury vapor can be released into the atmosphere and eventually accumulate in ecosystems, causing harm to both human health and the environment.
Overall, mercury is a fascinating, yet highly toxic, metal with diverse, historical, and modern applications.
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A metal white like silver, but in a liquid state at common temperatures, congealing or becoming solid at 40 degrees below zero Fahr.; a salt, a preparation of mercury, extensively used in medicine; one of the planets, being the one nearest the sun; a carrier of tidings; a newspaper.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for MERCURY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for MERCURY
Etymology of MERCURY
The word "mercury" has its origins in the Latin language. It comes from the Latin word "mercurius", which is derived from the name of the Roman god Mercury.
In Roman mythology, Mercury was the god of trade, communication, and travelers, as well as the messenger of the gods. The planet closest to the Sun was also named after him due to its fast movement across the sky.
The Latin word "mercurius" eventually evolved into "mercury" in English, referring to both the element and the planet.
Idioms with the word MERCURY
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the mercury
The idiom "the mercury" refers to the mercury in a thermometer, which is used to measure temperature. In this context, it means the current temperature or the level of heat or coldness in the environment.
Similar spelling words for MERCURY
- Mercuri,
- mercurous,
- side-marker,
- Margerie,
- Mercure,
- mercurio,
- Margery,
- MRQR,
- merker,
- post-merger,
- magic-marker,
- mehrgarh,
- MERCAIR,
- mercouri,
- maricar,
- Horn-mercury,
- Margorie,
- mercury-redstone,
- MRICRH,
- Margerey,
- mercury-related,
- Marcory,
- murkier,
- Mercuree,
- mirker,
- merger,
- mercury-atlas,
- merger-related,
- mercuric,
- time-marker,
- Mirecrow,
- mercerise,
- morogoro,
- MYRKRA,
- mercury-free,
- mercury-arc,
- mercora,
- mercker,
- MARKAR,
- pre-merger,
- markhor,
- morcar,
- MARKAIR,
- mercury(i),
- mercerize,
- marker-assisted,
- lincoln-mercury,
- mercur,
- mercury-containing,
- non-mercury,
- marghera,
- markhoor,
- Margeree,
- Marcor,
- MYRKRE,
- Mercurey,
- margera,
- tee-marker,
- marker,
- mercurial,
- myrkr,
- mega-merger,
- merkur,
- ball-marker,
- billiard-marker,
- mercer,
- MERCR,
- mirkier,
- mercauro,
- margaery,
- mercury-contaminated,
- mercier,
- murker,
- mercury-vapor,
- MYRKOR,
- margaree,
- myricaria,
- Z-MARKER.
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