/ kəˈprɪʃəs; NAmE / adjective ( formal )
1.
showing sudden changes in attitude or behaviour
SYN unpredictable
2.
changing suddenly and quickly
SYN changeable :
a capricious climate
► ca·pri·cious·ly adverb
► ca·pri·cious·ness noun [ U ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from French capricieux , from Italian from capriccio , literally head with the hair standing on end , hence horror , later a sudden start (influenced by capra goat, associated with frisky movement), from capo head + riccio hedgehog.