stable Definition

stable¹
adj

1. Firmly balanced or fixed; not likely to wobble or fall over.

Thesaurus: steady, stationary, firm, sound, solid,sturdy.
2a. Firmly established; not likely to be abolished, overthrown or destroyed;

Example: a stable government
Thesaurus: enduring, permanent, durable, abiding, deep-rooted, immutable, lasting, long-lasting, sturdy, unalterable, unchangeable; Antonym: transitory, volatile.
2b. Longstanding and committed.

Example: a stable and loving partnership
Thesaurus: steady, firm, steadfast, constant, sound, solid, enduring, abiding, lasting, long-lasting.
3a. Regular or constant; not erratic or changing; under control;

Example: The patient's condition is stable
3b. Said of someone or their disposition, judgement, etc: not likely to behave in an unpredictable manner; not fickle, moody, impulsive, etc.

Derivative: stableness
noun

Derivative: stably
adverb

Etymology: 13c: from Latin stabilis, from stare to stand.

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stable²
noun

1. A building where horses are kept.
2. A place where horses are bred and trained.
3. The horses that are under one particular trainer, thought of collectively.

Example: the Pitman stable
4. colloq
A number of people or things with a common background or origin, eg a number of athletes trained by the same coach, a number of recording artistes whose work is distributed by the same record label, etc.

verb stabled, stabling

1. To put (a horse) into or back into its stable.
tr & intr
2. To keep or be kept in a stable in a specified place.

Derivative: stabling

The act of putting a horse into a stable.

Accommodation for horses, etc.

Etymology: 14c: from Latin stabulum standing room.