Mercurial vs Ambiguous - What's the difference?
mercurial | ambiguous |
(obsolete) Any of the plants known as mercury.
(astrology) Someone born under the influence of Mercury.
(often capitalized, see (Mercurial)) Pertaining to the planet Mercury.
(often capitalized, see (Mercurial)) Pertaining to the Roman god Mercury, the god of trade; hence, money-making; crafty..
* J. Q. Adams
(astrology) Born under the influence of the planet Mercury, and having such characteristics.
Of, or pertaining to the element mercury; containing mercury; caused by the action of mercury or quicksilver.
Having a volatile or lively character; quick-witted, changeable, animated.
* 1723 , Charles Walker, Memoirs of Sally Salisbury , I:
Open to multiple interpretations.
Vague and unclear.
(obsolete, of persons) Hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides.
* 1662 (Thomas Salusbury)
As adjectives the difference between mercurial and ambiguous
is that mercurial is (often capitalized, see (mercurial)) pertaining to the planet mercury while ambiguous is open to multiple interpretations.As a noun mercurial
is (obsolete) any of the plants known as mercury.mercurial
English
Noun
(en noun)Adjective
(en adjective)- the mercurial wand of commerce
- From the natural Mercurial Briskness of her Temper, a sedentary Life had ever been her Aversion [...].
Derived terms
* mercurial eczema * mercurial glossitis * mercurial ointment * mercurial phosphorus * mercurial pneumatic trough * mercurial rash * mercurial trough * mercurialisation, mercurialization * mercurialise, mercurialize * mercurialism * mercurialist * mercuriality * mercurially * organomercurialambiguous
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- The politician was criticized for his ambiguous statements and lack of precision.
- He gave an ambiguous answer.
- And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous , and Simplicius is resolute....