-zə(r) noun
( -s )
: one that makes stable: as
a.
(1) : a substance added to an explosive especially to make it less liable to spontaneous decomposition
(2) : a substance added to a plastic or elastomer to maintain its desirable physical and chemical properties
(3) : a substance added to an emulsion, foam, or other dispersion to prevent change : protective colloid
stabilizers used in the production of chocolate milk
(4) : a substance (as gelatin) added to a food mix (as ice cream) to improve and maintain its quality (as of texture or body)
b. : a distilling column for decreasing the evaporative tendency of petroleum products (as gasoline) by removal of gaseous and low-boiling hydrocarbons
c. : a bar-shaped shock absorber for a vehicle (as an automobile)
d. : a gyroscope device to keep ships steady in a heavy sea — compare gyrostabilizer
e. : an airfoil providing stability for an airplane ; specifically : the fixed horizontal member of the tail assembly of an airplane
f. : a device to hold a tank gun on a target, while the tank moves over rough ground