mercurials

/mərˈkjʊriəlz/
noun
  1. Chemical compounds or medicines that contain mercury.
    • The lab stored mercurials in sealed containers to prevent spills.
    • Old thermometers used mercurials, but modern ones use safer liquids.
    • Dentists once used mercurials in tooth fillings, though alternatives are now common.
  2. People who are lively, quick-witted, and changeable in mood or behavior.
    • Mercurials often make exciting friends but can be hard to rely on.
    • The theater group was full of mercurials who thrived on improvisation.
    • In literature, characters like Shakespeare's Mercutio are classic mercurials.
Synonyms
What does "mercurials" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean