Mercurial (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury; "the Mercurial canals".
Classification
Relational adjectives (pertainyms).
Related Words
Meaning 2
Relating to or containing or caused by mercury; "mercurial preparations"; "mercurial sore mouth".
Classification
Relational adjectives (pertainyms).
Examples
- Mercurial compounds have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including skin conditions and infections.
- The doctor warned the patient about the dangers of using mercurial creams, citing the risk of mercury poisoning.
- Historically, mercurial preparations were used to treat syphilis, although this practice is no longer recommended due to the toxic nature of mercury.
- The patient's skin began to blister after using a mercurial ointment, necessitating a trip to the emergency room.
- In some ayurvedic medicines, mercurial preparations are still used, despite concerns about their safety and efficacy.
Related Words
Meaning 3
Liable to sudden unpredictable change; "erratic behavior"; "fickle weather"; "mercurial twists of temperament"; "a quicksilver character, cool and willful at one moment, utterly fragile the next".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The mercurial nature of the artist's temperament made it difficult for her to work collaboratively with others.
- His mercurial mood swings often left his friends and family walking on eggshells around him.
- The mercurial weather in the mountains made it challenging for hikers to plan their routes in advance.
- The mercurial twists of her personality made her a fascinating subject for the psychologist's study.
- The mercurial quarterback's ability to change the game's momentum with a single play made him a fan favorite.
Synonyms
Meaning 4
Relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury; "more than Mercurial thievishness".
Classification
Relational adjectives (pertainyms).