stable

sta|ble¹ W3 [ˈsteıbəl] adj

[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: estable, from Latin stabilis, from stare 'to stand']

1.) steady and not likely to move or change

≠ ↑unstable

→↑stability

▪ A wide base will make the structure much more stable.

in a stable condition

BrE /in stable condition AmE

▪ He is said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

▪ Children like a stable environment.

2.) calm, reasonable, and not easy to upset

≠ ↑unstable

▪ He was clearly not a very stable person.

3.) technical a stable substance tends to stay in the same chemical or ↑atomic state

≠ ↑unstable

>stably adv

stable ²

stable² n

[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: estable, from Latin stabulum, from stare; STABLE¹]

1.) a building where horses are kept

2.) stables [plural]

a place where horses are kept and that often gives riding lessons

3.) a group of racing horses that has one owner or trainer

4.) a group of people working for the same company or with the same trainer

▪ actors from the same Hollywood stable

5.) shut/close the stable door after the horse has bolted

BrE to try to prevent something when it is too late and harm has already been done

stable ³

stable³ v [T]

to put or keep a horse in a stable