STABLE


Meaning of STABLE in English

adj. (stabler, stablest) 1 firmly fixed or established; not easily adjusted, destroyed, or altered (a stable structure; a stable government). 2 firm, resolute; not wavering or fickle (a stable and steadfast friend). 3 Chem. (of a compound) not readily decomposing. 4 Physics (of an isotope) not subject to radioactive decay. stable equilibrium a state in which a body when disturbed tends to return to equilibrium. stableness n. stably adv.

[ ME f. AF stable, OF estable f. L stabilis f. stare stand ]

Concise Oxford English dictionary.      Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка.