volatile etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin "volatilis," meaning "flying" or "that flies"
  • From the verb "volare," meaning "to fly"
  • Proto-Indo-European "*wel-," meaning "to move quickly"

Meaning:

  • In its original sense, volatile means "moving or changing rapidly" or "unstable."
  • In chemistry, it refers to a substance that readily vaporizes or changes from a liquid to a gas.
  • Figuratively, it can describe someone or something that is emotionally or temperamentally unstable, unpredictable, or easily excitable.

Origin:

The term "volatile" entered English from Late Latin in the 15th century. The original Latin word was used in a wide variety of contexts, including describing birds, celestial bodies, arrows, and winds. The chemical meaning of volatile emerged in the 17th century, when it was used to refer to substances that could be easily distilled or evaporated.

Examples of Usage:

  • The stock market is known for its volatility, with prices fluctuating rapidly.
  • The patient's mood swings were volatile, making it difficult to predict their behavior.
  • Mercury is a volatile element that vaporizes at room temperature.

volatile relate terms

  • volant

    Etymology The word volant is derived from the French word volant which means flying

  • non volatile

    Etymology The term nonvolatile is derived from the Latin prefix non meaning not

  • volatile

    Etymology Latin volatilis meaning flying or that flies From the verb volare m

  • fickle

    Etymology The word fickle comes from the Middle English word fikel which means dece

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  • naphtha

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  • carburetor

    Etymology The term carburetor is derived from two Latin roots carbonis genitive for

  • gasoline

    Etymology The word gasoline is derived from the compound Middle English word gas o li

  • substance

    Etymology The word substance is derived from the Latin word substantia which means

  • concord

    Etymology The word concord derives from the Latin word concordis which means harmo

  • develop

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way their meaning has cha