volage

[ voh-lahzh ]

adjective

, Archaic.

1. fickle, inconsistent, or flighty:

   She has inherited her father's volage nature where finances are concerned.

Word History and Origins

Origin of volage¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Old French, from vol(er) “to fly” ( volant ( def ) ) + -age -age ( def )

Example Sentences

D'un peuple frivole et volage Pantin fut la divinité.

From Project Gutenberg

Inheritance he deriv’d from his Libre et franc, sans être sauvage, Ancestors, did not forsake him at Du Courtisan fourbe et volage Court, where being frank and free, L’exemple ne m’a point gâté, without being rude, the Example of L’infatigable activité, the crafty giddy Courtier had not tainted him.

From Project Gutenberg

"Add to which, the private reservation, no doubt, that if she has one atom of discernment, it is a certain volage, giddy, young aide-de-camp that she will select."

From Project Gutenberg

—The British Training Squadron, consisting of the Active, the Calypso, the Volage, and the Ruby, entered Yarmouth Roads, and sailed on the 14th for the north. 

From Project Gutenberg

Femme Volage, by contrast, is eerily light – a floating, human-like figure that seems like a phantom.

From The Guardian