Stabler

sta·ble ¹  (stbl)

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.]

---

stable·ness n.

stably adv.

---

sta·ble ²  (stbl)

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.]