stable Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
    stalls; horse barn.
  2. verb shelter in a stable
    • stable horses
  3. adjective resistant to change of position or condition
    • a stable ladder
    • a stable peace
    • a stable relationship
    • stable prices
  4. adjective satellite firm and dependable; subject to little fluctuation
    • the economy is stable
  5. adjective satellite not taking part readily in chemical change
  6. adjective satellite maintaining equilibrium
  7. adjective satellite showing little if any change
    unchanging; static.
    • a static population

WordNet

Sta"ble adjective
Etymology
OE. estable, F. stable, fr. L. stabilis, fr. stare to stand. See Stand, v. i. and cf. Establish.
Definitions
  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. Syn. -- Fixed; steady; constant; abiding; strong; durable; firm.
Sta"ble transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To fix; to establish. Obs. Chaucer.
Sta"ble noun
Etymology
OF. estable, F. étable, from L. stabulum, fr. stare to stand. See Stand, v. i.
Definitions
  1. 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.
Sta"ble transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Stabled ; present participle & verbal noun Stabling
Definitions
  1. To put or keep in a stable.
Sta"ble intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To dwell or lodge in a stable; to dwell in an inclosed place; to kennel. Milton.

Webster 1913