stable

¹

[ stey-buhl ]

noun

1. a building for the lodging and feeding of horses, cattle, etc.

   Synonyms: barn, mews

2. such a building with stalls.
3. a collection of animals housed in such a building.
4. Horse Racing.
   1. an establishment where racehorses are kept and trained.
   2. the horses belonging to, or the persons connected with, such an establishment.
5. Informal.
   1. a number of people, usually in the same profession, who are employed, trained, or represented by the same company, agency, manager, etc.:

      a comedy show with a large stable of writers.

   2. the establishment that trains or manages such a group of people:

      two boxers from the same stable.

   3. a collection of items produced by or belonging to an establishment, industry, profession, or the like:

      The American auto industry has some new small cars in its stable.

verb (used with object)

, sta·bled, sta·bling.

1. to put or lodge in or as if in a stable.

verb (used without object)

, sta·bled, sta·bling.

1. to live in or as if in a stable.

stable

²

[ stey-buhl ]

adjective

, sta·bler, sta·blest.

1. not likely to fall or give way, as a structure, support, foundation, etc.; firm; steady.

   Synonyms: sturdy, secure, fixed

2. able or likely to continue or last; firmly established; enduring or permanent:

   a stable government.

3. resistant to sudden change or deterioration:

   A stable economy is the aim of every government.

4. steadfast; not wavering or changeable, as in character or purpose; dependable.

   Synonyms: steady, reliable, constant, staunch, invariable

5. not subject to emotional instability or illness; sane; mentally sound.
6. Physics. having the ability to react to a disturbing force by maintaining or reestablishing position, form, etc.
7. Chemistry. not readily decomposing, as a compound; resisting molecular or chemical change.
8. (of a patient's condition) exhibiting no significant change.

stable

¹

/ ˈsteɪbəl /

noun

1. a building, usually consisting of stalls, for the lodging of horses or other livestock
2. the animals lodged in such a building, collectively
3. 1. the racehorses belonging to a particular establishment or owner
   2. the establishment itself
   3. ( as modifier )

      stable companion

4. informal.
   a source of training, such as a school, theatre, etc

   the two athletes were out of the same stable

5. a number of people considered as a source of a particular talent

   a stable of writers

6. modifier of, relating to, or suitable for a stable

   stable manners

verb

1. to put, keep, or be kept in a stable

stable

²

/ ˈsteɪbəl /

adjective

1. steady in position or balance; firm
2. lasting or permanent

   a stable relationship

3. steadfast or firm of purpose
4. (of an elementary particle, atomic nucleus, etc) not undergoing decay; not radioactive

   a stable nuclide

5. (of a chemical compound) not readily partaking in a chemical change
6. (of electronic equipment) with no tendency to self-oscillation

stable

/ stā′bəl /

1. Not susceptible to a process of decay, such as radioactivity. For example, the most common isotope of carbon, carbon 12, is stable. Protons and photons are examples of stable subatomic particles.
2. See more at decay
3. Relating to a chemical compound that does not easily decompose or change into other compounds. Water is an example of a stable compound.
4. Relating to an atom or chemical element that is unlikely to share electrons with another atom or element.
5. Not likely to change significantly or to deteriorate suddenly, as an individual's medical condition.

Derived Forms

• ˈstableness, noun
• ˈstably, adverb

Other Words From

• stable·like adjective
• un·stabled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stable¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English stable, stabel(e), from Old French estable, from Latin stabulum “stall; shed,” equivalent to sta-, stem of stāre “to stand” + -bulum noun suffix denoting place; stand

Origin of stable²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English stable, stabel(e), from Old French estable, stable, from Latin stabilis stabile

Word History and Origins

Origin of stable¹

C13: from Old French estable cowshed, from Latin stabulum shed, from stāre to stand

Origin of stable²

C13: from Old French estable , from Latin stabilis steady, from stāre to stand

Idioms and Phrases

see lock the barn (stable) door after the horse has bolted .

Example Sentences

"Now that we have perfected making peptides stable, we are looking at other gut drugs to improve treatment options for gastrointestinal disorders, an unmet medical need."

From Science Daily

But they can remain stable for many years, sometimes decades, and during this time, they play a key role in determining which genes are active in our cells and which are not.

From Science Daily

While that may not quite be “the dream,” a functioning stable society shadow-designed by women to sensibly govern the future sounds grand.

From Salon

Speaking on Saturday at the meeting held at his hotel in Lima, the Chinese president said Beijing's goal of a stable relationship with Washington would remain unchanged.

From BBC

Police said the Peugeot driver had suffered serious injuries in the crash and his condition in hospital was critical but stable.

From BBC

Related Words

• balanced
• calm
• durable
• fast
• lasting
• permanent
• reliable
• safe
• secure
• solid
• steady
• strong
• substantial