c.1300, "quicksilver, the metal mercury," from Old French argent (11c.), from Latin argentum "silver, silver work, white money," from PIE *arg-ent- (cognates: Avestan erezata-, Old Persian ardata-, Armenian arcat, Old Irish argat, Breton arc'hant "silver"), from root *arg- "to shine; white," thus "the shining or white metal, silver" (cognates: Greek argos "white," arguron "silver;" Sanskrit arjuna- "white, shining," rajata- "silver," Hittite harki- "white"). Meaning "silver, silver coin" is early 15c. in English; the adjective sense "silver-colored," late 15c.