Category:Mercurial

Mer*cu"ri*al, a. Etym: [L. mercurialis, fr. Mercurius Mercury: cf. F. mercuriel.]

1. Having the qualities fabled to belong to the god Mercury; swift; active; sprightly; fickle; volatile; changeable; as, a mercurial youth; a mercurial temperament. A mercurial man Who fluttered over all things like a fan. Byron.

2. Having the form or image of Mercury; -- applied to ancient guideposts. [Obs.] Chillingworth.

3. Of or pertaining to Mercury as the god of trade; hence, money- making; crafty. The mercurial wand of commerce. J. Q. Adams.

4. Of or pertaining to, or containing, mercury; as, mercurial preparations, barometer. See Mercury, 2.

5. (Med.)

Defn: Caused by the use of mercury; as, mercurial sore mouth.

mercurial Mer*cu"ri*al, n.

1. A person having mercurial qualities. Bacon.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A preparation containing mercury.