Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SIL'VER, n. [Sax. seolfer, siluer; Goth. silubr; G. silber; D. zilver; Sw. silfver; Dan. sölv; Lapponic, sellowpe. Qu. Russ. serebro; r for l.]

1. A metal of a white color and lively brilliancy. It has neither taste nor smell; its specific gravity is 10.552, according to Bergman, but according to Kirwan it is less. A cubic foot weighs about 660 lbs. Its ductility is little inferior to that of gold. It is harder and more elastic than tin or gold, but less so than copper, platinum, or iron. It found native in thin plates or leaves, or in fine threads, or it is found mineralized by various substances. Great quantities of this metal are furnished by the mines of South America, and it is found in small quantities in Norway, Germany, Spain, the United States, &c. – Kirwan. Encyc.
2. Money; coin made of silver.
3. Any thing of soft splendor. Pallas – piteous of her plaintive cries, / In slumber clos'd her silver-streaming eyes. – Pope.