online medical dictionary | definition of mercurial

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.

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.

5. <medicine> Caused by the use of mercury; as, mercurial sore mouth.

Origin: L. Mercurialis, fr. Mercurius Mercury: cf. F. Mercuriel.

1. A person having mercurial qualities.

2. <medicine> A preparation containing mercury.

(01 Mar 1998)