adj. & n.
--adj.
1. evaporating rapidly (volatile salts).
2 changeable, fickle.
3 lively, light-hearted.
4 apt to break out into violence.
5 transient.
--n. a volatile substance.
Phrases and idioms:
volatile oil essential oil.
Derivatives:
volatileness n. volatility n.
Etymology: OF volatil or L volatilis f. volare volat- fly