MERCURIAL
Dictionary entry overview: What does Mercurial mean?
• MERCURIAL (adjective)
The adjective MERCURIAL has 4 senses:
1. liable to sudden unpredictable change
2. relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury
3. relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury
4. relating to or containing or caused by mercury
Familiarity information: MERCURIAL used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• MERCURIAL (adjective)
Meaning:
Liable to sudden unpredictable change
Synonyms:
mercurial; quicksilver; erratic; fickle
Context examples:
erratic behavior / fickle weather / mercurial twists of temperament / a quicksilver character, cool and willful at one moment, utterly fragile the next
Similar:
changeable; changeful (such that alteration is possible; having a marked tendency to change)
Meaning:
Relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Context example:
the Mercurial canals
Pertainym:
Mercury (the smallest planet and the nearest to the sun)
Meaning:
Relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Context example:
more than Mercurial thievishness
Pertainym:
Mercury ((Roman mythology) messenger of Jupiter and god of commerce; counterpart of Greek Hermes)
Meaning:
Relating to or containing or caused by mercury
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Context examples:
mercurial preparations / mercurial sore mouth
Pertainym:
mercury (a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures)
