mercurial
English
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman / Old French mercurial, and their source, Latin mercurialis, from Mercurius (“Mercury”).
Noun
mercurial (plural mercurials)
Adjective
mercurial (comparative more mercurial, superlative most mercurial)
- (often capitalized, see Mercurial) Pertaining to the planet Mercury. [from 14th c.]
- (often capitalized, see Mercurial) Pertaining to the Roman god Mercury, the god of trade; hence, money-making; crafty.. [from 15th c.]
- J. Q. Adams
- the mercurial wand of commerce
- J. Q. Adams
- (astrology) Born under the influence of the planet Mercury, and having such characteristics. [from 16th c.]
- Of, or pertaining to the element mercury; containing mercury; caused by the action of mercury or quicksilver. [from 16th c.]
- Having a volatile or lively character; quick-witted, changeable, animated. [from 17th c.]
- 1723, Charles Walker, Memoirs of Sally Salisbury, I:
- From the natural Mercurial Briskness of her Temper, a sedentary Life had ever been her Aversion [...].
- 1723, Charles Walker, Memoirs of Sally Salisbury, I:
- Volatile, changeable.
- his mercurial temperament
Derived terms
- mercurial eczema
- mercurial glossitis
- mercurial ointment
- mercurial phosphorus
- mercurial pneumatic trough
- mercurial rash
- mercurial trough
- mercurialisation, mercurialization
- mercurialise, mercurialize
- mercurialism
- mercurialist
- mercuriality
- mercurially
- organomercurial
Translations
containing the element mercury
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lively, quick-witted
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Middle English
Alternative forms
- (noun): mercuriale
Synonyms
Adjective
mercurial
Descendants
References
- “mercurial (n.)” in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 14 June 2018.
- “Mercurial (adj.)” in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 14 June 2018.
Spanish
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