Volatile

Adjective

Definition: Easily evaporated at normal temperatures; evaporating rapidly.

Definition: Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.

Definition: Tending to erupt into violence; explosive or fiery.

Definition: Highly unstable or reactive, especially in a chemical context.

Synonyms: Changeable, Inconstant, Fickle, Unstable, Explosive, Mercurial, Unpredictable

Antonyms: Constant, Stable, Steady, Consistent

Examples:
  • The volatile liquid evaporated quickly in the heat.
  • The stock market can be highly volatile, with prices fluctuating drastically.
  • The volatile situation in the country erupted into riots.
Mnemonics:
  • "Volatility" is often associated with unpredictable changes or explosive reactions.
  • Imagine a volatile substance bubbling and releasing fumes, symbolizing rapid change or instability.

Etymology:

Origin:

Late Middle English (in the sense 'liable to change'): from Latin volatilis, from volare 'to fly'. The sense 'evaporating rapidly' arose in the mid 17th century.

Historical Usage:

The word has primarily been used to describe substances that easily evaporate at normal temperatures since its origin.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Walking on eggshells"

Explanation:

Describes a situation where one must be cautious and careful because the atmosphere is unstable and easily tense, like walking on fragile eggshells.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing the meaning of volatility as synonymous with explosiveness.

Explanation:

While volatility can sometimes imply explosiveness, it primarily refers to rapid and unpredictable changes, which can occur in various contexts, not just explosive reactions.

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