Where does “mercurial” come from?
mercurial (Middle English) comes from Latin Mercurialis, from Latin Mercurius, from Latin merx, from Proto-Italic *merks.
mercurial (Middle English): A plant belonging to the genus "Chenopodium"; a...
Definitions
- A plant belonging to the genus "Chenopodium"; a...
Ancestry of “mercurial”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | Mercurialis | pertaining to the Roman god Mercury |
| 2 | Latin | Mercurius | Mercury; a Roman god associated with speed and... |
| 3 | Latin | merx | merchandise, commodity; goods, wares |
| 4 | Proto-Italic | *merks | — |