GC: n

S: MN – https://bit.ly/2HPHac3 (last access: 1 June 2019); MEDNT – https://bit.ly/2D0wfeE (last access: 1 June 2019).

N: 1. – mercury (n): silver-white fluid metallic element, late 14c., from Medieval Latin mercurius, from Latin Mercurius (Mercury, the Roman god). Prepared in ancient times from cinnabar, it was one of the seven metals (bodies terrestrial) known to the ancients, which were coupled in astrology and alchemy with the seven known heavenly bodies. This one probably was associated with the planet for its mobility. The others were Sun/gold, Moon/silver, Mars/iron, Saturn/lead, Jupiter/tin, Venus/copper.
The Greek name for it was hydrargyros “liquid silver,” which gives the element its symbol, Hg. Compare quicksilver, which is its popular name. It has a freezing point of -39° C. The use of the word in reference to temperature or state of the atmosphere (by 1756) is from its use in thermometers and barometers.
– poisoning (n): From poison. The condition produced by a poison or by a toxic substance.
2. Poisoning caused by mercury or a compound of mercury.
3. For quite some time, we have known that high concentrations of mercury can be toxic to humans; the first account of mercury poisoning was recorded as early as 50 B.C. Today, we recognize that mercury is a neurotoxin and that high levels of exposure can lead to serious illness and, in extreme cases, death.
4. Similar cases of mercury pneumonitis were reported by Seaton and Bishop after an industrial accident during the repair of a condenser in a power station.

S: 1. OED – https://bit.ly/2JNy95H (last access: 1 June 2019); DIC.COM – https://bit.ly/2Z1ohJ2 last access: 1 June 2019). 2 & 3. TERMIUM PLUS – https://bit.ly/2WicusW (last access: 1 June 2019). 4. GDT – https://bit.ly/2EMqgt5 (last access: 1 June 2019).

SYN: mercurialism, hydrargyria, hydrargyriasis, hydrargyrism.

S: TERMIUM PLUS – https://bit.ly/2WicusW (last access: 1 June 2019).

CR: mercury, Minamata disease.