If you describe someone as mercurial, you mean that they frequently change their mind or mood without warning. LITERARY adj (=volatile)
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What does mercurial mean in a person?
Definition of mercurial
(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : of, relating to, or born under the planet Mercury. 2 : having qualities of eloquence, ingenuity, or thievishness attributed to the god Mercury or to the influence of the planet Mercury. 3 : characterized by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood a mercurial temper.
Is mercurial positive or negative?
A mercurial nature can be either a negative or positive character trait, depending on how the person who possess such a quick-silver temperament handles it. To be mercurial usually brings to mind one who flies off the handle easily, who’s moody whims change temperature as quickly and as often as a Spring day.
What is the difference between capricious and mercurial?
Some common synonyms of mercurial are capricious, fickle, inconstant, and unstable. While all these words mean “lacking firmness or steadiness (as in purpose or devotion),” mercurial implies a rapid changeability in mood.
Why does mercurial mean unpredictable?
In Middle English, this adjective meant “relating to the planet or god Mercury” and derives from Latin mercuriālis, from Mercurius “Mercury.” A mercurial personality has the unpredictability associated with the god Mercury or, in astrology, is supposedly influenced by the planet.
How do you know if you are mercurial?
Mercurial describes someone whose mood or behavior is changeable and unpredictable, or someone who is clever, lively, and quick.
Why is it called mercurial?
What is the origin of mercurial? The English adjective mercurial ultimately comes from the Latin adjective mercuriālis “of or pertaining to Mercurius“ (i.e., the god Mercury), whose original function was as god of commerce, transporters of goods (especially of grain), and shopkeepers.
What part of speech is mercurial?
adjective
MERCURIAL (adjective) definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary.
What is the difference between Git and mercurial?
Mercurial Is Safer For Less Experienced Users
By default, Mercurial doesn’t allow you to change history. However, Git allows all involved developers to change the version history. Obviously, this can have disastrous consequences. With basic Mercurial, you can only change your last commit with “hg commit – amend”.
How do you use Mercurial in a sentence?
The music is mercurial, humorous and very clever. He undertakes a series of mercurial performances or ontological aberrations, stepping in and out of identities. Its mercurial changes of mood, wistful humour and spontaneity make it ideally accessible, and it is not at all tiring.
How do you use capricious?
Capricious in a Sentence ?
- Because of his capricious nature, Jeremy found it hard to keep a steady job.
- Since he started taking the medication, Henry has been less capricious.
- Even though the couple wanted to get married outside, they knew their ceremony depended on the capricious weather.
Where does the word capricious come from?
capricious (adj.)
1600, “apt to change the mind suddenly, fickle,” from French capricieux “whimsical” (16c.), from Italian capriccioso, from capriccio (see caprice). Related: Capriciously; capriciousness.
What does the word quixotic mean?
foolishly impractical
1 : foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals especially : marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action.
What’s the definition of the word Svengali?
Definition of Svengali
: a person who manipulates or exerts excessive control over another.
Is Mercury unstable?
Mercury Stability
Hg is stable in glass (only borosilicate glass studied) in 5% nitric acid at room temperature at 5 µg/mL for 2 years and 8 months. Hg appears to be stable in 10% v/v HCl in LDPE.
Which zodiac is ruled by Mercury?
Mercury. The planet Mercury rules two signs: Gemini and Virgo. Mercury moves around the zodiac so quickly that, as it makes its away around the Sun ahead of us, it appears to be moving backwards at times.
What are Venusian qualities?
With the pleasure and beauty-oriented planet as their guide, Venusian energy is attractive and unifying. They have an absolutely magnetizing energy that can turn heads and draw others towards them. They’re also, uh, not great with conflict.
What is Mercury in Scorpio?
Secretive, Passionate, and Exacting
Nothing Mercury in Scorpio says or does is superfluous. They choose their friends and work with great intention. They don’t do anything they don’t care about and, when they care about something, they put their entire being into it.
Who is mercurial in Greek mythology?
Mercury the swift messenger of the ancient gods.
The Greek god Hermes (the Roman Mercury ) was the god of translators and interpreters. He was the most clever of the Olympian gods, and served as messenger for all the other gods.
What is the synonym of laconic?
Some common synonyms of laconic are compendious, concise, pithy, succinct, summary, and terse. While all these words mean “very brief in statement or expression,” laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.
What is the opposite of modicum?
Opposite of a small, modest or trifling amount. world. lot. mountain.