Quicksilver \Quick"sil`ver\, n. [Quick living + silver; -- so called from its fluidity; cf. G. quecksilber, L. argentum vivum. See {Quick}, a.] (Chem.) The metal mercury; -- so called from its resemblance to liquid silver. {Quicksilver horizon}, a mercurial artificial horizon. See under {Horizon}. {Quicksilver water}, a solution of mercury nitrate used in artificial silvering; quick water.