mercury
UK: ˈmɜːkjəri | US: ˈmɜːrkjəri
n. a heavy, silvery metallic element (Hg), liquid at room temperature, used in thermometers and barometers
n. (Mercury) the Roman god of commerce, eloquence, and travel, associated with speed and messages
n. (Mercury) the smallest and innermost planet in the Solar System
The word "mercury" originates from the Latin "Mercurius," the name of the Roman god Mercury, known for his speed and mobility. The element mercury (Hg) was named after the god due to its fluid, quick-moving nature. The planet Mercury, which orbits the Sun rapidly, also derives its name from the same deity. The suffix "-y" is a common English noun-forming suffix, here used to denote the substance and celestial body named after the god.
Mercury is the only metal that remains liquid at room temperature.
In Roman mythology, Mercury was the messenger of the gods.
The planet Mercury has extreme temperature variations between day and night.
Old thermometers often contained mercury, which is now replaced due to its toxicity.
The symbol for mercury in the periodic table is Hg, from its Latin name "hydrargyrum."