Dictionary:
vol·a·tile (vŏl'ə-tl, -tīl') ![]() |
- Chemistry.
- Evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures.
- That can be readily vaporized.
- Tending to vary often or widely, as in price: the ups and downs of volatile stocks.
- Inconstant; fickle: a flirt's volatile affections.
- Lighthearted; flighty: in a volatile mood.
- Ephemeral; fleeting.
- Tending to violence; explosive: a volatile situation with troops and rioters eager for a confrontation.
- Flying or capable of flying; volant.
[French, from Old French, from Latin volātilis, flying, from volātus, past participle of volāre, to fly.]
volatile vol'a·tile n.volatility vol'a·til'i·ty (-tĭl'ĭ-tē) or vol'a·tile·ness (-tl-nĭs, -tīl'-) n.



