mercurial Hear it!

mercurial definition

mer·cu·rial (mər kyo̵or′ē əl)

adjective

  1. of Mercury (the god or planet)
  2. of or containing mercury
  3. caused by the action or use of mercury
  4. having qualities attributed to the god Mercury or supposedly influenced by the planet Mercury; eloquent, clever, shrewd, thievish, etc.
  5. having qualities suggestive of mercury; quick, quick-witted, volatile, changeable, fickle, etc.

Etymology: ME < L mercurialis

noun

a drug or preparation containing mercury

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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