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mercurial

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mer⋅cu⋅ri⋅al

  [mer-kyoor-ee-uhl]
Use mercurial in a Sentence
–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.
5. (initial capital letter) of or pertaining to the planet Mercury.
–noun
6. Pharmacology. a preparation of mercury used as a drug.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L 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

Synonyms:
1. inconstant, indecisive. 2. spirited.

Antonyms:
1. constant, steady. 2. phlegmatic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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mer·cu·ri·al   (mər-kyŏŏr'ē-əl)   
adj.  

  1. often Mercurial

    1. Roman Mythology Of or relating to the god Mercury.

    2. Astronomy Of or relating to the planet Mercury.

  2. Having the characteristics of eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, and thievishness attributed to the god Mercury.

  3. Containing or caused by the action of the element mercury.

  4. Quick and changeable in temperament; volatile: a mercurial nature.

n.  A pharmacological or chemical preparation containing mercury.

[Middle English, of the planet Mercury, from Latin mercuriālis, of the god or planet Mercury, from Mercurius, Mercury.]
mer·cu'ri·al·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

mercurial 
1390, "pertaining to the planet Mercury" (see Mercury). Meaning "sprightly, volatile, quick" (1593) is from supposed qualities of those born under the planet Mercury, probably partially by association with quicksilver.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1mer·cu·ri·al
Pronunciation: (")m&r-'kyur-E-&l
Function: adjective
: of, relating to, containing, orcaused by mercury <mercurial salves>

Main Entry: 2mercurial
Function: noun
: a pharmaceutical or chemical containing mercury mercurials>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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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