[ 'vɒlətʌɪl ]
■ adjective
1》 (of a substance) easily evaporated at normal temperatures.
2》 liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
↘liable to display rapid changes of emotion.
3》 (of a computer's memory) retaining data only as long as there is a power supply connected.
■ noun a ~ substance.
Derivatives
volatility noun
volatilization or volatilisation noun
volatilize or volatilise verb
Origin
ME (in the senses 'creature that flies, birds'): from OFr. volatil or L. volatilis , from volare 'to fly'.