See Also: stable(1)(dictionary)
stable boy(dictionary)
stable(4)(dictionary)
stable(3)(dictionary)
stable(2)(dictionary)
stable 3, verb(dictionary)
stable 2, noun(dictionary)
stable 1, adjective(dictionary)
stable girl(dictionary)
heat-stable(medicine)

stable(1) (iou)



stable adjective. ME.
[Anglo-Norman stable, Old French estable (mod. stable) from Latin stabilis, from base of stare stand: see -BLE.]
Firmly fixed or placed, not easily displaced or overbalanced; maintaining or able to maintain equilibrium or an erect position; (of a support or foundation) not likely to give way or shift. ME.
stable EQUILIBRIUM.
J. S. Blackie A stable physical platform to stand on. Pilot A very stable aircraft, laterally, directionally, and in pitch.
b. Firm in consistency, solid. Now rare. M16.
Keeping to one place, not shifting in position, stationary. ME.
Of a condition, institution, group, etc.: firmly established, not liable to destruction or essential change; fundamentally constant in composition or nature. Of a property, agency, etc.: continuing without essential or permanent change. ME.
J. A. Froude His kingdom demanded the security of a stable succession. S. Unwin Absorption of small insolvent firms by financially stable publishers. Nature White sifaka and ringtailed lemur populations have remained stable since 1963. A. Storr A stable home in which continuing care is taken for granted. Daily News (New York) Awake and in stable condition after his bypass operation.
b. Permanent, reliable, enduring; (of a law, promise, judgement, etc.) not to be repealed or retracted. ME-M18.
c. Of a theory, conclusion, etc.: not likely to be disproved or found wanting. L15.
d. Of a physical system, chemical compound, isotope, subatomic particle, etc.: not readily or spontaneously disintegrating, decomposing, or decaying. M19.
Of a person etc.: resolute, steadfast; of steady character, not fickle or wavering. Now also, mentally sound, well-adjusted, sane and sensible. ME.
Jo Grimond He was not stable; you could never be sure of his mood. C. Easton A solid, stable young manthe sympathetic rock that Jackie needed.
b. Of a god: unchangeable. LME-E18.
Of a look or expression: steady, unabashed. LME-M17.
stableness noun (now rare) stability ME.