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mercurial Definition

mer·cu·rial (mər kyo̵or′ē əl)

adjective

  1. of Mercury (the god or planet)
  2. of or containing mercury
  3. caused by the action or use of mercury
  4. having qualities attributed to the god Mercury or supposedly influenced by the planet Mercury; eloquent, clever, shrewd, thievish, etc.
  5. having qualities suggestive of mercury; quick, quick-witted, volatile, changeable, fickle, etc.

Etymology: ME < L mercurialis

noun

a drug or preparation containing mercury

mercurial Related Forms
mer·cu′·ri·ally adverb mer·cu′·ri·al·ness noun
mercurial Synonyms

mercurial

modif.

variable, fluctuating, inconstant; see changeable 1, 2, irregular 1.

mercurial Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • temperament: Erv had worked with John previously, and seemed the only person prepared to ride the waves of John's mercurial temperament.
  • talent: Lighting designer Andi Watson continues to bring his very unique creative and mercurial talents to the Radiohead mix.
  • character: Griffiths, it has to be said, is a highly unstable and mercurial character politically.
  • nature: That has to do with the mercurial nature of the industry.
  • genius: But when he took the role of drug-addled 60s icon Brian Jones - mercurial genius of the Rolling Stones - it changed his life.
  • barometer: However, precise measurements of pressure using a mercurial barometer reveals a number of interesting changes.

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: I must address my deep-seated slothfulness and bring my somewhat mercurial temperament under a greater degree of control.
  • so: As Hermes was the messenger of the gods, so mercurial types make good link people.
  • very: They can be very mercurial, one minute docile the next skittish.