mercurial

English

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /mɜːˈkjʊəriəl/, SAMPA: /m3:"kjUəri@l/
• (US) IPA: /mɝˈkjʊriəl/, /mɝˈkjɔriəl/, SAMPA: /m3`"kjUri@l/, /m3`kjOri@l/

Adjective

mercurial (comparative more mercurial, superlative most mercurial)

1. Volatile; erratic; unstable; flighty; fickle or changeable in temperament.
2. Lively; clever; sprightly; animated; quick-witted.

   I have a mercurial wit.

3. Of, or pertaining to the element mercury; containing mercury; caused by the action of mercury or quicksilver.
4. Having characteristics attributed to the Roman god Mercury, such as swiftness, eloquence, shrewdness, and thievishness.
5. (Roman mythology) (often capitalized, see Mercurial) Of or pertaining to the Roman god Mercury.
6. (astronomy) (often capitalized, see Mercurial) Of or pertaining to the planet Mercury; under the supposed astrological influence of the planet Mercury.

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

Related terms

• mercuric, mercury, Mercury

Translations

containing the element mercury

Finnish: elohopeapitoinen (fi)

French: mercuriel (fr) m., mercurielle (fr) f.

Noun

mercurial (plural mercurials)

1. A chemical containing mercury.