Mercurial meaning

mər-kyo͝or'ē-əl
The definition of mercurial is changeable or fickle.

Someone who can get mad in the blink of an eye is an example of someone who would be described as mercurial.

adjective
1
0
Quick and changeable in temperament; volatile.

A mercurial nature.

adjective
1
0
Having the characteristics of eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, and thievishness attributed to the god Mercury.
adjective
0
0
Containing or caused by the action of the element mercury.
adjective
0
0
A pharmacological or chemical preparation containing mercury.
noun
0
0
Advertisement
Of Mercury (the god or planet)
adjective
0
0
Of or containing mercury.
adjective
0
0
Caused by the action or use of mercury.
adjective
0
0
Having qualities attributed to the god Mercury or supposedly influenced by the planet Mercury; eloquent, clever, shrewd, thievish, etc.
adjective
0
0
Having qualities suggestive of mercury; quick, quick-witted, volatile, changeable, fickle, etc.
adjective
0
0
Advertisement
A drug or preparation containing mercury.
noun
0
0
Containing or caused by the action of the element mercury.
adjective
0
0
A pharmacological or chemical preparation containing mercury.
noun
0
0
(astrology) Someone born under the influence of Mercury. [from 16th c.]
noun
0
0
(now historical) A preparation of mercury, especially as a treatment for syphilis. [from 17th c.]
noun
0
0
Advertisement
(often capitalized, see Mercurial) Pertaining to the planet Mercury. [from 14th c.]
adjective
0
0
(often capitalized, see Mercurial) Pertaining to the Roman god Mercury. [from 15th c.]
adjective
0
0
(astrology) Born under the influence of the planet Mercury, and having such characteristics. [from 16th c.]
adjective
0
0
Of, or pertaining to the element mercury; containing mercury; caused by the action of mercury or quicksilver. [from 16th c.]
adjective
0
0
Having a volatile or lively character; quick-witted, changeable, animated. [from 17th c.]
adjective
0
0
Advertisement
Of or relating to Mercury as the god of trade; hence, money-making; crafty.
adjective
0
0

Origin of mercurial

  • Middle English of the planet Mercury from Latin mercuriālis of the god or planet Mercury from Mercurius Mercury
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • From Anglo-Norman / Old French mercurial, and their source, Latin mercurialis, from Mercurius (“Mercury").
    From Wiktionary

Mercurial Sentence Examples

  • Even this did not tame the impostors mercurial temperament.

  • The disciplined philosopher, who had devoted himself to the task of comprehending the organism of the state, had no patience with feebler or more mercurial minds who recklessly laid hands on established ordinances, and set them aside where they contravened humanitarian sentiments.

  • The views of Becher on the composition of substances mark little essential advance on those of the two preceding centuries, and the three elements or principles of salt, mercury and sulphur reappear as the vitrifiable, the mercurial and the combustible earths.

  • The history of mercurial pumps is treated by S.

  • (2) The Castner-Kellner process employs no diaphragm, but a mercurial cathode.

More sentences →

Words near mercurial in the Dictionary