From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordQuicksilver under the name running metal.
- In the bookMercurius à naturâ coagulatus is instead defined as a solid metal.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 33; facsimile PDF page 361.
Historical definition
Metallum currens is quicksilver.
Meaning
The descriptive compound points to a metal through its running character. The dictionary gives quicksilver as the equivalent and supplies no further preparation under this heading.
Use in the book
Mercurius à naturâ coagulatus is instead defined as a solid metal. Reading both complete expressions makes the contrast between running and coagulated states visible without treating every mercurial name as a synonym for the same immediate condition.
Places to read
- Metallum currensRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- Mercurius à naturâ coagulatusMercury coagulated by Nature is defined broadly as a solid metal.
- Luna compactaA lunar compound assigned to quicksilver.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 33; facsimile PDF page 361 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 361, Metallum currens