I. ˈstā-bəl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estable, stable, from Latin stabulum, from stare to stand — more at stand
Date: 13th century
1. : a building in which domestic animals are sheltered and fed ; especially : such a building having stalls or compartments
a horse stable
2.
a. : the racehorses of one owner
b. : a group of people (as athletes, writers, or performers) under one management
c. : the racing cars of one owner
d. : group , collection
• sta·ble·man -mən, -ˌman noun
II. verb
( sta·bled ; sta·bling -b(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
: to put or keep in a stable
intransitive verb
: to dwell in or as if in a stable
III. adjective
( sta·bler -b(ə-)lər ; sta·blest -b(ə-)ləst)
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estable, stable, from Latin stabilis, from stare to stand
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : firmly established : fixed , steadfast
stable opinions
b. : not changing or fluctuating : unvarying
in stable condition
c. : permanent , enduring
stable civilizations
2.
a. : steady in purpose : firm in resolution
b. : not subject to insecurity or emotional illness : sane , rational
a stable personality
3.
a.
(1) : placed so as to resist forces tending to cause motion or change of motion
(2) : designed so as to develop forces that restore the original condition when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion
b.
(1) : not readily altering in chemical makeup or physical state
stable emulsions
(2) : not spontaneously radioactive
Synonyms: see lasting
• sta·ble·ness -bəl-nəs noun
• sta·bly -b(ə-)lē adverb