Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Volatile
Vol′a-tile
,Adj.
[F.
volatil
, L. volatilis
, fr. volare
to fly, perhaps akin to velox
swift, E. velocity
. Cf. Volley
.] 1.
Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly.
[Obs.]
2.
Capable of wasting away, or of easily passing into the aeriform state; subject to evaporation.
☞ Substances which affect the smell with pungent or fragrant odors, as musk, hartshorn, and essential oils, are called volatile substances, because they waste away on exposure to the atmosphere. Alcohol and ether are called volatile liquids for a similar reason, and because they easily pass into the state of vapor on the application of heat. On the contrary, gold is a fixed substance, because it does not suffer waste, even when exposed to the heat of a furnace; and oils are called fixed when they do not evaporate on simple exposure to the atmosphere.
3.
Fig.: Light-hearted; easily affected by circumstances; airy; lively; hence, changeable; fickle;
as, a
. volatile
temperYou are as giddy and
volatile
as ever. Swift.
Vol′a-tile
,Noun.
[Cf. F.
volatile
.] A winged animal; wild fowl; game.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Sir T. Browne.
Webster 1828 Edition
Volatile
VOL'ATILE
,Adj.
1.
Flying; passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere.2.
Having the power to fly; as birds are volatile animals.3.
Capable of wasting away, or of easily passing into the aeriform state. Thus substances which affect the smell with pungent or fragrant odors, as musk, hartshorn and essential oils, are called volatile substances, because they waste away on exposure to the atmosphere. Alcohol and ether are called volatile liquids for a similar reason, and because they easily pass into the state of vapor on the application of heat. On the contrary, gold is a fixed substance, because it does not suffer waste even when exposed to the heat of a furnace; and oils are called fixed, when they do not evaporate on simple exposure to the atmosphere.4.
Lively; gay; full of spirit; airy; hence, fickle; apt to change; as a volatile temper.You are as giddy and volatile as ever.
VOL'ATILE
,Noun.
Definition 2024
volatile
volatile
English
Adjective
volatile (comparative more volatile, superlative most volatile)
- (physics) evaporating or vaporizing readily under normal conditions.
- (of a substance, informal) explosive.
- (of a price etc) variable or erratic.
- (of a person) quick to become angry or violent.
- fickle.
- temporary or ephemeral.
- (of a situation) potentially violent.
- (computing, of a variable) having its associated memory immediately updated with any changes in value.
- (computing, of memory) whose content is lost when the computer is powered down
- (obsolete) Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly.
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:ephemeral
Derived terms
Translations
evaporating or vaporizing readily under normal conditions
|
(informal) explosive
(of a price etc) variable or erratic
fickle
|
|
temporary or ephemeral
(of a situation) potentially violent
(computing, of memory) whose content is lost when the computer is powered down
Noun
volatile (plural volatiles)
French
Etymology
Borrowing from Latin volātilis (“flying”). Doublet of volaille.
Adjective
volatile m, f (plural volatiles)
Adjective
volatile
- feminine singular of volatil
Noun
volatile m (plural volatiles)
Italian
Adjective
volatile m, f (masculine and feminine plural volatili)
Synonyms
- (flying): volante
Noun
volatile m (plural volatili)
Synonyms
Latin
Adjective
volātile
- nominative neuter singular of volātilis
- accusative neuter singular of volātilis
- vocative neuter singular of volātilis
References
- VOLATILE in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)