stable

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estable, stable, from Latin stabulum, from stare to stand — more at stand Date: 13th century 1. a building in which domestic animals are sheltered and fed; especially such a building having stalls or compartments <

a horse stable

> 2. a. the racehorses of one owner b. a group of people (as athletes, writers, or performers) under one management c. the racing cars of one owner d. group, collection • stableman noun II. verb (stabled; stabling) Date: 14th century transitive verb to put or keep in a stable intransitive verb to dwell in or as if in a stable III. adjective (stabler; stablest) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estable, stable, from Latin stabilis, from stare to stand Date: 13th century 1. a. firmly established ; fixed, steadfast <

stable opinions

> b. not changing or fluctuating ; unvarying <

in stable condition

> c. permanent, enduring <

stable civilizations

> 2. a. steady in purpose ; firm in resolution b. not subject to insecurity or emotional illness ; sane, rational <

a stable personality

> 3. a. (1) placed so as to resist forces tending to cause motion or change of motion (2) designed so as to develop forces that restore the original condition when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion b. (1) not readily altering in chemical makeup or physical state <

stable emulsions

> (2) not spontaneously radioactive Synonyms: see lasting • stableness noun • stably adverb