Definition of capricious

The word "capricious" has its roots in Latin and dates back to the 15th century. It comes from the word "capricium," which means "whim" or "fancy." In Latin, "capra" means "goat," and "icium" is a suffix indicating a condition or quality. So, "capricious" originally referred to something that was marked by the sensibility of a goat, implying a sudden and unpredictable behavior. Over time, the term evolved to describe something that was changeable, unreliable, or lacking in consistency. Today, we use "capricious" to describe people, situations, or behaviors that are prone to sudden changes, without warning or logic.