stable Hear it!

stable1 definition

sta·ble (stā′bəl)

adjective stabler -·bler, stablest -·blest

    1. not easily moved or thrown off balance; firm; steady
    2. not likely to break down, fall apart, or give way; fixed
    1. firm in character, purpose, or resolution; steadfast
    2. reliable, dependable
  3. not likely to change or be affected adversely; lasting; enduring
    1. emotionally steady; composed; self-possessed
    2. mentally sound; sane; rational
  5. capable of returning to equilibrium or original position after having been displaced
  6. Chem., Physics
    1. not readily decomposing or changing from one state of matter to another
    2. not undergoing spontaneous change
  7. Nuclear Physics incapable of radioactive decay

Etymology: ME < OFr estable < L stabilis < stare, to stand

Related Forms:

stable2 definition

sta·ble (stā′bəl)

noun

    1. a building in which horses or cattle are sheltered and fed
    2. a group of animals kept or belonging in such a building
    1. all the racehorses belonging to one owner
    2. the people employed to take care of and train such a group of racehorses
  3. Informal all the athletes, writers, performers, etc. under one management, with one agent, etc.

Etymology: ME < OFr estable < L stabulum < stare, to stand

transitive verb, intransitive verb stabled -·bled, stabling -·bling

to lodge, keep, or be kept in or as in a stable

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms stable idiom

medical stable definition - medical

stable Synonyms

stable

modif.

  1. Fixed

    steady, stationary, solid; see firm 1.

  2. Steadfast

    calm, firm, constant; see resolute 2.

  3. Permanent

    enduring, well-built, durable; see permanent 1.


stable

n.

shelter, barn, coop, corral, hutch, kennel; see also pen 1.


stable

v.

pen, corral, put up; see tend 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

stable Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • ride: There are several riding stables nearby, all speak English.

Adjective modifier

  • converted: The cookery school is housed in the ground floor of the converted Georgian stables, which overlook the castle.. .

Modifies a noun

  • isotope: Stable isotopes are naturally occurring and are used as a marker for what is happening inside the body.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: Now patients with HIV can remain stable for many years.

Noun used with modifier

  • riding: Program 10 Alice visits an extraordinary riding stables located under one of London's busiest roads.

Modifying Another Word

  • relatively: Tuberculosis in Scotland has been relatively stable over the past 20 years.

Preposition: for

  • horse: Outside were two well built concrete and brick pig sties and a stable for horses and carriages.
stable usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"stable." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/stable>

APA Style

stable. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/stable

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment