Mercurial vs. Quicksilver — What's the Difference?

Mercurial is a distributed revision control tool for software developers. It is supported on Microsoft Windows and Unix-like systems, such as FreeBSD, macOS, and Linux.

See mercury.

Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind

Unpredictable; mercurial

Of or containing the element mercury

The metal mercury.

Of the planet Mercury.

(colloquial) An amalgam of mercury and tin applied to the backs of mirrors, quicksilvering.

A drug or other compound containing mercury

Unpredictable, erratic or fickle; mercurial.

Roman Mythology Of or relating to the god Mercury.

To overlay with quicksilver.

(Astronomy) Of or relating to the planet Mercury.

To treat with quicksilver.

Having the characteristics of eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, and thievishness attributed to the god Mercury.

The metal mercury; - so called from its resemblance to liquid silver.

Containing or caused by the action of the element mercury.

A heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures

Quick and changeable in temperament; volatile

Liable to sudden unpredictable change;

A pharmacological or chemical preparation containing mercury.

(obsolete) Any of the plants known as mercury, especially the annual mercury or French mercury (Mercurialis annua).

(astrology) A person born under the influence of the planet Mercury; hence, a person having an animated, lively, quick-witted or volatile character.

(chemistry) A chemical compound containing mercury.

A preparation of mercury, especially as a treatment for syphilis.

(comparable) Having a lively or volatile character; animated, changeable, quick-witted.

Pertaining to the astrological influence of the planet Mercury; having the characteristics of a person under such influence (see adjective sense 1).

Pertaining to the planet Mercury.

Of or pertaining to the element mercury or quicksilver; containing mercury.

Caused by the action of mercury or a mercury compound.

Pertaining to Mercury, the Roman god of, among other things, commerce, financial gain, communication, and thieves and trickery; hence (comparable), money-making; crafty.

Having the qualities fabled to belong to the god Mercury; swift; active; sprightly; fickle; volatile; changeable; as, a mercurial youth; a mercurial temperament.

Having the form or image of Mercury; - applied to ancient guideposts.

Of or pertaining to Mercury as the god of trade; hence, money-making; crafty.

Of or pertaining to, or containing, mercury; as, mercurial preparations, barometer. See Mercury, 2.

Caused by the use of mercury; as, mercurial sore mouth.

A person having mercurial qualities.

A preparation containing mercury.

Liable to sudden unpredictable change;

Relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury;

Relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury;

Relating to or containing or caused by mercury;