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Mercurial vs Protean - What's the difference?

mercurial | protean |

As adjectives the difference between mercurial and protean

is that mercurial is (often capitalized, see {{term|Mercurial}}) Pertaining to the planet Mercury while protean is exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms.

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

    protean

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms.
    • An amoeba is a protean animalcule.
    His plots and protean characters plunge readers into the world of fable, yet their universal appeal, as this biography shows, is deeply rooted in the particularity of Garcia Marquez’s own idiosyncratic early life...
  • * :
    • He loved to show off his protean talent.
  • Of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus.

    • See also

    * Protea * shapeshifting

    Anagrams

    * * * English eponyms English words suffixed with -an