Mercurially: meaning, definitions and examples

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mercurially

 

[ mษ™rหˆkjสŠrษชษ™li ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

mood change

The adverb 'mercurially' describes the behavior or characteristics of someone who exhibits unpredictable or rapidly changing moods, akin to the qualities attributed to the element mercury. Such individuals often fluctuate between extremes, displaying a range of emotions that can shift from happiness to anger in a very short span of time. The term can also relate to quick, volatile changes in behavior or decisions, indicating a lack of consistency. This word is derived from the connection to the Roman god Mercury, known for his swiftness and capricious nature.

Synonyms

capricious, changeable, fickle, flighty, volatile

Examples of usage

  • Her mercurially changing opinions can be exhausting.
  • He acted mercurially, making it hard for anyone to understand his true feelings.
  • The weather was mercurially shifting from sun to storms within hours.

Translations

Translations of the word "mercurially" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mercurialmente

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคพเคฐเฅเคถเฅเคตเคตเคฐเฅเคคเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช merkurial

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ secara mercurial

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะตั€ะบัƒั€ั–ะฐะปัŒะฝะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ merkurialnie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฐด้Š€ใฎใ‚ˆใ†ใซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mercuriellement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mercurialmente

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท merkuriyel bir ลŸekilde

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ˆ˜์€์ฒ˜๋Ÿผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุฃุณู„ูˆุจ ุฒุฆุจู‚ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ merkuriรกlnฤ›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ merkurialne

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฐด้“ถ่ˆฌๅœฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ merkurialno

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ merkurรญulega

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะตั€ะบัƒั€ะธะฐะปัŒะดั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ”แƒ แƒ™แƒฃแƒ แƒ˜แƒฃแƒšแƒแƒ“

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mercurial ลŸษ™kildษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ mercurialmente

Etymology

The word 'mercurially' originates from the noun 'mercury', which itself comes from the Latin word 'mercurius', denoting the Roman god of commerce, travel, and communication. Mercury was depicted as a messenger and known for his speed and agility, embodying the idea of rapid change and unpredictability. The connection between mercury, the element, and the characteristic of fluctuating nature can be traced back to the liquid metal's ability to move swiftly and change shape easily, mirroring the variability in human emotions or behavior. The usage of 'mercury' in English evolved over time to describe anything associated with variability or fickleness, eventually giving rise to the adverb 'mercurially' as a means to convey such traits.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,065, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.