好词典

volatile

UK //ˈvɒlətaɪl//US //ˈvɑːlətl//

词源

源自拉丁语 'volatilis'(意为'会飞的'),来自 'volare'(飞)。最初指液体容易蒸发'飞走'的特性,后引申为不稳定的含义。

adjective

❶ 形容物质容易蒸发或变成气体,通常指液体在常温下快速转变为气态的特性。

“Gasoline is highly volatile and evaporates quickly.”

(汽油极易挥发,会迅速蒸发。)

“The volatile chemicals must be stored in a cool place.”

(这些易挥发的化学品必须存放在阴凉处。)

❶ 形容情绪、局势或情况变化无常,容易突然变得激烈或不稳定。

“The stock market has been volatile this week.”

(本周股市波动剧烈。)

“Her volatile temper makes her difficult to work with.”

(她脾气暴躁,很难共事。)

同义词:unstable, changeable, erratic, unpredictable, explosive

noun

❶ 指计算机内存中临时存储的数据,断电后会丢失,与永久存储相对。

“RAM is a type of volatile memory in computers.”

(RAM是计算机中的一种易失性存储器。)

“The data was lost because it was stored in volatile storage.”

(数据丢失是因为它存储在易失性存储器中。)

同义词:temporary memory, RAM

常见短语

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — 指容易在常温下挥发的有机化学物质,常见于油漆、清洁剂等产品中,可能对健康和环境有害。

“The new regulations limit the emission of volatile organic compounds.”

(新法规限制了挥发性有机化合物的排放。)