- argent
- late 15c., "quicksilver," from M.Fr. argent, from O.Fr. (11c.), from L. argentum "silver, white money," from PIE *arg-ent- (cf. Avestan erezata-, O.Pers. ardata-, Armenian arcat, O.Ir. argat, Breton arc'hant "silver"), from base *arg- "to shine, white," thus "the shining or white metal, silver" (cf. Gk. argos "white," arguron "silver;" Skt. arjuna- "white, shining," rajata- "silver," Hittite harki- "white").