sta·ble 1 (st b l)adj. sta·bler, sta·blest 1. a. Resistant to change of position or condition; not easily moved or disturbed: a house built on stable ground; a stable platform. b. Not subject to sudden or extreme change or fluctuation: a stable economy; a stable currency. c. Maintaining equilibrium; self-restoring: a stable aircraft. 2. Enduring or permanent: a stable peace. 3. a. Consistently dependable; steadfast of purpose. b. Not subject to mental illness or irrationality: a stable personality. 4. Physics Having no known mode of decay; indefinitely long-lived. Used of atomic particles. 5. Chemistry Not easily decomposed or otherwise modified chemically.
[Middle English, from Old French estable, from Latin stabilis; see st - in Indo-European roots.]
sta ble·ness n. sta bly adv. |
sta·ble 2 (st b l)n.1. a. A building for the shelter and feeding of domestic animals, especially horses and cattle. b. A group of animals lodged in such a building. 2. a. All the racehorses belonging to a single owner or racing establishment. See Synonyms at flock1. b. The personnel employed to keep and train such a group of racehorses. 3. A group, as of athletes or entertainers, under common management: a stable of prizefighters. v. sta·bled, sta·bling, sta·bles v.tr. To put or keep in or as if in a stable. v.intr. To live in or as if in a stable.
[Middle English, from Old French estable, from Latin stabulum, stable, standing place; see st - in Indo-European roots.] |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | stableness - the quality or attribute of being firm and steadfaststeadiness, firmness - the quality of being steady or securely and immovably fixed in place |