/ ˈsteɪbl; NAmE / adjective , noun , verb
■ adjective
1.
firmly fixed; not likely to move, change or fail
SYN steady :
stable prices
a stable relationship
This ladder doesn't seem very stable.
The patient's condition is stable (= it is not getting worse) .
2.
( of a person ) calm and reasonable; not easily upset
SYN balanced :
Mentally, she is not very stable.
3.
( technical ) ( of a substance ) staying in the same chemical or atomic state :
chemically stable
OPP unstable
► sta·bly / ˈsteɪbli; NAmE / adverb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a building in which horses are kept
2.
( BrE also stables ) [ C +sing./pl. v . ] an organization that keeps horses for a particular purpose :
( BrE )
a riding / racing stables
His stables are near Oxford.
3.
[ C ] a group of racehorses owned or trained by the same person :
There have been just three winners from his stable this season.
4.
[ sing. ] a group of people who work or trained in the same place; a group of products made by the same company :
actors from the same stable
the latest printer from the Epson stable
■ verb
[ vn ] to put or keep a horse in a stable :
Where do you stable your pony?
••
WORD FAMILY
stable adjective (≠ unstable )
stability noun (≠ instability )
stabilize verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
adjective Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French , from Latin stabilis , from the base of stare to stand.
noun and verb Middle English : shortening of Old French estable stable, pigsty, from Latin stabulum , from the base of stare to stand.