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Mercurial vs Enigmatic - What's the difference?

mercurial | enigmatic |

As adjectives the difference between mercurial and enigmatic

is that mercurial is (often capitalized, see {{term|Mercurial}}) Pertaining to the planet Mercury while enigmatic is pertaining to an enigma.

As a noun mercurial

is any of the plants known as mercury.

mercurial

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (obsolete) Any of the plants known as mercury.
  • (astrology) Someone born under the influence of Mercury.

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (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
    • the mercurial wand of commerce
  • (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:
    • 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 * organomercurial

    Related terms

    * mercuric, mercury, Mercury

    enigmatic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (archaic) * (obsolete) * enigmatick (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Pertaining to an enigma.
  • Mysterious.
  • *
  • *:Serene, smiling, enigmatic , she faced him with no fear whatever showing in her dark eyes. The clear light of the bright autumn morning had no terrors for youth and health like hers.
  • Defying description.
  • (variant) Enigmatical.