MERCURIAL


Meaning of MERCURIAL in English

/ mɜːˈkjʊəriəl; NAmE mɜːrˈkjʊr-/ adjective

1.

( literary ) often changing or reacting in a way that is unexpected

SYN volatile :

Emily's mercurial temperament made her difficult to live with.

2.

( literary ) lively and quick :

a brilliant, mercurial mind

3.

( technical ) containing mercury

••

WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English (referring to something of the planet Mercury): from Latin mercurialis relating to the god Mercury, from Mercurius Mercury. Senses 1 and 2 date from the mid 17th cent.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.