How Do You Spell MERCURIAL?

Pronunciation: [mɜːkjˈʊɹɪəl] (IPA)

The word "mercurial" (mɜrˈkjʊriəl) is an adjective that means volatile, changeable or unpredictable. Interestingly, the word takes its spelling from the Roman god Mercury, who was known for his swiftness and adaptability. The word's pronunciation is slightly tricky due to its particularly stressed syllables. The first syllable, "mer-", carries the primary stress, while the second syllable "cu-" is unstressed and pronounced with the "u" sound. The final syllable "-rial" is also pronounced with a schwa sound.

Meaning and Definition
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MERCURIAL Meaning and Definition

  1. Mercurial, as an adjective, can be understood in various contexts, but fundamentally it describes something or someone that is characterized by constantly changing, unpredictable, or volatile behavior. This term originates from the Latin word "mercurialis," which references the god Mercury, known for his swift and unpredictable nature. The usage of mercurial can be applied to different domains, such as describing a person's temperament or mood, the behavior of a machine, or even the nature of a substance or element.

    When referring to a person, mercurial implies that they exhibit sudden and frequent shifts in mood, opinions, or personality traits. Such individuals often display a quick and unpredictable temperament, making it challenging to anticipate their actions or reactions. This term can also be employed to describe a machine or system that is prone to sudden and drastic changes in performance, speed, or functionality.

    Furthermore, mercurial may signify the characteristics of a substance or element, particularly when referring to quicksilver or liquid mercury. It highlights the changeable and volatile nature of this metal, which is notorious for its fast evaporation under normal conditions.

    In summary, whether applied to a person, a machine, or a substance, mercurial consistently indicates a tendency towards unpredictability, volatility, or rapid change.

  2. 1. Relating to mercury. 2. Any salt of mercury employed medicinally.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. Active; sprightly; versatile; consisting of or containing mercury or quicksilver.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for MERCURIAL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

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Etymology of MERCURIAL

The word "mercurial" comes from the Latin word "mercurialis", which is derived from "mercurius", meaning "Mercury". In ancient Roman mythology, Mercury was the messenger of the gods and the god of commerce, travel, and communication. As such, he was known for his swift and unpredictable nature. From this association with Mercury, the term "mercurialis" evolved into "mercurial" in late medieval English, and it has since been used to describe someone or something that is unpredictable, rapidly changing, or volatile.

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