stəˈbiləd.ē, -lətē, -i sometimes stāˈ- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English stabilite, from Middle French estabilité, from Latin stabilitat-, stabilitas, from stabilis stable + -itat-, -itas -ity — more at stable
1. : the quality, state, or degree of being stable: as
a. : the strength to stand or endure without alteration of position or without material change : steadiness , firmness
bridge … was frail, with little lateral stability to withstand the gales — O.S.Nock
these metals have a structural stability that should ensure long life — Betty Pepis
the stability of a price is the degree to which it stays the same over time — A.P.Lerner
a recession appeared that showed the lack of stability in the economy — Oscar Handlin
cultural stability — a phenomenon which, in its psychological aspects, is called conservatism — M.J.Herskovits
political stability , with its accompanying danger of political stagnation — W.C.Brownell
b. : the state of being in stable equilibrium
c. : the property of a body that causes it when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion to develop forces or moments that restore the original condition
the stability of a projectile
the stability of a ship
the stability of an airplane
d. : resistance to decomposition or other chemical change or to physical disintegration
a plastic with a heat stability of up to 100° C
salicylamide, an analgesic of wide compatibility and good stability in pharmaceutical preparations — Monsanto Magazine
e. : permanence
stability of a color
2.
a. : steadiness or firmness of character, resolution, or purpose : constancy , steadfastness
an idea so … dishonorable to the stability of her lover — Jane Austen
she lacks the stability and discipline to keep her gift under control — Time
each writer had to find or fashion for himself an artistic credo to serve as a center of stability — Max Lerner & Edwin Mims
b. : a vow made by Benedictines and some other monks binding them for life to the monastery in which they make their profession
c. : the state demanded by this vow