1. The state or quality of being stable, or firm; steadiness; firmness; strength to stand without being moved
or overthrown; as, the stability of a structure; the stability of a throne or a constitution.
2. Steadiness or firmness of character, firmness of resolution or purpose; the quality opposite to fickleness,
irresolution, or inconstancy; constancy; steadfastness; as, a man of little stability, or of unusual stability.
3. Fixedness; — as opposed to fluidity.
Since fluidness and stability are contary qualities.
Boyle. Syn. — Steadiness; stableness; constancy; immovability; firmness.
Stable
(Sta"ble) a. [OE. estable, F. stable, fr. L. stabilis, fr. stare to stand. See Stand, v. i. and cf.
Establish.]
1. Firmly established; not easily moved, shaken, or overthrown; fixed; as, a stable government.
In this region of chance, . . . where nothing is stable.
Rogers. 2. Steady in purpose; constant; firm in resolution; not easily diverted from a purpose; not fickle or wavering; as,
a man of stable character.
And to her husband ever meek and stable.
Chaucer. 3. Durable; not subject to overthrow or change; firm; as, a stable foundation; a stable position.
Stable equibrium (Mech.), the kind of equilibrium of a body so placed that if disturbed it returns to
its former position, as in the case when the center of gravity is below the point or axis of support; —
opposed to unstable equilibrium, in which the body if disturbed does not tend to return to its former
position, but to move farther away from it, as in the case of a body supported at a point below the center
of gravity. Cf. Neutral equilibrium, under Neutral.
Syn. — Fixed; steady; constant; abiding; strong; durable; firm.
Stable
(Sta"ble), v. t. To fix; to establish. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Stable
(Sta"ble), n. [OF. estable, F. étable, from L. stabulum, fr. stare to stand. See Stand, v. i.]
A house, shed, or building, for beasts to lodge and feed in; esp., a building or apartment with stalls, for
horses; as, a horse stable; a cow stable. Milton.
Stable fly (Zoöl.), a common dipterous fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) which is abundant about stables and
often enters dwellings, especially in autumn. These files, unlike the common house files, which they
resemble, bite severely, and are troublesome to horses and cattle.
Stable
(Sta"ble), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stabled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Stabling ] To put or keep in a stable.
Stable
(Sta"ble), v. i. To dwell or lodge in a stable; to dwell in an inclosed place; to kennel. Milton.
