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DictionaryMercuryClosest planet to the Sun
proper noun

Mercury

The planet nearest the Sun, written with a capital M.

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.

Etymology
mercuryLatinthe god Mercury

The planet bears the name of Mercury, the Roman messenger god. Its swift apparent movement across the sky suited the association with a famously swift divine messenger.

More examples

  • The telescope tracked Mercury near the horizon.
  • A spacecraft photographed the surface of Mercury.
  • We compared the sizes of Mercury and Earth.

Forms

Mercury