vol·a·tile (v ŏl ə-tl, -t īl ′)
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adj.1. Chemistry a. Evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures. b. Capable of being readily vaporized. 2. a. Tending to vary often or widely, as in price: the ups and downs of volatile stocks. b. Inconstant; fickle: a flirt's volatile affections. c. Lighthearted; flighty: in a volatile mood. d. Ephemeral; fleeting. 3. Tending to violence; explosive: a volatile situation with troops and rioters eager for a confrontation. 4. Flying or capable of flying; volant. 5. Computers Of or relating to memory whose data is erased when the memory's power is interrupted.
[French, from Old French, from Latin volātilis, flying, from volātus, past participle of volāre, to fly.]
vola·tile n. vol′a·tili·ty (-tĭlĭ-tē), vola·tile·ness (-tl-nĭs, -tīl′-) n. |