rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymercurialContaining or relating to mercury
adjective

mercurial

Containing or relating to the metal mercury.

The laboratory follows strict safety rules when handling mercurial compounds.

Etymology
mercuriEnglishmetal mercury
+alEnglishrelating to

Mercurial is formed from mercury, the metal-name, with an adjective ending. In this technical sense it directly identifies a substance containing mercury or a property connected with it.

More examples

  • The museum displays a mercurial thermometer beside a digital one.
  • Old medical texts describe mercurial ointments used to treat infections.
  • Mercurial residues in the soil require careful disposal.

Forms

mercurial

mercury noun — A silvery metal liquid at room temperature.

Similar words

mercuric
Specifically describes compounds containing mercury in its +2 oxidation state.
mercurous
Specifically describes compounds containing mercury in its +1 oxidation state.