Nearby Words
adjective
1.
changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic: a mercurial nature.
2.
animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted.
3.
pertaining to, containing, or caused by the metal mercury.
4.
(initial capital letter
) of or pertaining to the god Mercury.
) of or pertaining to the god Mercury.5.
(initial capital letter) of or pertaining to the planet Mercury.
) of or pertaining to the planet Mercury.noun
6.
Pharmacology. a preparation of mercury used as a drug.
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Mercurial
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is querulous. Does it mean:
| having a kindly disposition; showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness |
| habitually complaining |
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin mercuriālis of, pertaining to the god or planet Mercury. See mercury, -al1
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin mercuriālis of, pertaining to the god or planet Mercury. See mercury, -al1
Related forms
mer·cu·ri·al·ly, adverb
mer·cu·ri·al·ness, mer·cu·ri·al·i·ty, noun
un·mer·cur·i·al, adjective
un·mer·cur·i·al·ly, adverb
un·mer·cur·i·al·ness, noun
Synonyms
1. inconstant, indecisive. 2. spirited.
1. inconstant, indecisive. 2. spirited.
Antonyms
1. constant, steady. 2. phlegmatic.
1. constant, steady. 2. phlegmatic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To mercurial
Example Sentences
- She's very mercurial and emotes before thinking, while I'm the opposite.
- Easier, given my mercurial personality, just to leave the door shut.
- In Europe the search is on for new, effective, non-mercurial seed dressings primarily because of the toxic hazard to wild life.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
mercurial
late 14c., "pertaining to the planet Mercury" (see Mercury). Meaning "sprightly, volatile, quick" (1590s) is from supposed qualities of those born under the planet Mercury, probably partially by association with quicksilver.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
mercurial mer·cu·ri·al (mər-ky&oobreve;r'ē-əl)
adj.
Containing or caused by the action of the element mercury. n.
A pharmacological or chemical preparation containing mercury.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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