An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Quecksilber

by Friedrich Kluge

Quecksilber, n., ‘quicksilver,’ from the equiv. MidHG. quëcsilber, OHG. quëcsilbar; an imitation, like Du. kwikzilver, E. quicksilver (AS. cwicseolfor), of the common Rom. argentum vivum; comp. Ital. argento vivo, Fr. vif-argent.