An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A substance that vaporizes at relatively low temperatures (e.g. H₂O, CO₂, CO, CH₄, NH₃, and so forth). The opposite of volatile is → refractory.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from M.Fr. volatile, from L. volatilis “fleeting, transitory, flying,” from p.p. stem of volare “to fly,” of unknown origin.

Etymology (PE): Parrâ “flying,” from paridan “to fly in the air,” → Volans.