Mercŭrĭālis, e, adj. [Mercurius],
- I. of or belonging to the god Mercury: caduceum, App. M. 11, p. 262: unde frequentia Mercuriale Imposuere mihi cognomen compita, called me Mercury (as being a skilful man of business), Hor. S. 2, 3, 25.
Subst.: Mercŭrĭāles, ium, m., the name of a corporation of traders: Mercuriales M. Furium Flaccum de collegio ejecerunt, Cic. Q. Fr. 2, 5, 2.
With reference to Mercury as the god of scholars: Faunus, Mercurialium Custos virorum, Hor. C. 2, 17, 28.
- B. Of or belonging to the planet Mercury: cursus, Macr. Somn. Scip. 2, 4.
- II. Transf.
- A. Herba mercurialis, a plant, dog’s-mercury, Cato, R. R. 158; Plin. 25, 5, 18, § 38.
- B. Pagus Mercurialis, a town of Africa propria, in Zeugitana, Inscr. Spon. Miscell. Erud. Antiq. p. 191.