ARGENTUM VIVUM Meaning and
Definition
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Argentum vivum, also known as quicksilver or mercury, is a chemical element represented by the symbol "Hg" in the periodic table. It has an atomic number of 80 and is one of the few elements that remains in liquid form at room temperature.
The term "argentum vivum" originates from Latin, where "argentum" means "silver" and "vivum" translates to "living" or "alive." This descriptive name alludes to the element's appearance, which resembles a shiny silver liquid that appears to be in motion when it is poured.
Mercury has a number of distinctive properties. It has a low boiling point of -38.83 degrees Celsius (-37.89 degrees Fahrenheit) and a freezing point of -38.85 degrees Celsius (-37.93 degrees Fahrenheit). It exhibits high thermal and electrical conductivity and it easily forms alloys with other metals, a property that has rendered it useful in various industries. Furthermore, mercury is highly toxic and needs to be handled with great care due to its ability to vaporize and contaminate the air.
In addition to being utilized in thermometers, barometers, and electrical devices, mercury has historically been used in various medical applications and as a component in dental amalgams. Nevertheless, due to its harmful effects on human health and the environment, the use and disposal of mercury are now highly regulated.
In summary, argentum vivum or mercury is a silver-colored, liquid chemical element with the symbol "Hg" in the periodic table. It possesses unique physical and chemical properties, and its usage is restricted due to its toxicity.
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Quicksilver, hydrargyrum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ARGENTUM VIVUM
- zrgentum vivum
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Etymology of ARGENTUM VIVUM
The word "argentum vivum" has its etymology derived from Latin.
"Argentum" means "silver" in Latin, derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂erǵ-, meaning "white" or "shining". It has been used to refer to the chemical element silver throughout history.
"Vivum" means "alive" or "living" in Latin, derived from the Proto-Indo-European verb *gʷeyh₃-, meaning "to live" or "to be alive".
When combined, "argentum vivum" means "living silver" or "quicksilver", which is an archaic term for the chemical element mercury. The term was used to describe the liquid metal mercury due to its shiny, silvery appearance.
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