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volatile organic compound

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volatile

vol·a·tile [ vóllət'l ]

adjective

Definition:

1. unstable and potentially dangerous: apt to become suddenly violent or dangerous

2. unpredictable or fickle: changeable in mood, temper, or desire

3. changing suddenly: characterized by or prone to sudden change

4. short-lived: continuing for only a short time

5. chemistry prone to evaporation: evaporating at a relatively low temperature

6. comput losing data when power is off: describes a computer memory that does not store data when the power is turned off

noun (plural vol·a·tiles)

Definition:

chemistry volatile substance: a substance that evaporates at a relatively low temperature

[Late 16th century. < Latin volatilis< volat-, past participle of volare "fly"]

vol·a·til·i·ty [ vòllə tíllətee ] noun

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