bistable

[ bahy-stey-buhl ]

adjective

1. (of an electric or electronic circuit) having two stable states.

bistable

/ baɪˈsteɪbəl /

adjective

1. having two stable states

   bistable circuit

noun

1. See flip-flop
   computing another name for flip-flop

Word History and Origins

Origin of bistable¹

First recorded in 1945–50; bi- ¹ + stable ²

Example Sentences

The balance between how strongly the conformists feel about seeing a good movie and everyone getting along, as well as the balance of the individual learners’ views, determines the number of social learners needed for bistable unpredictability.

From Nautilus

Proteins that can adopt two different states essentially make a bistable switch, which could be useful for all kinds of things, like memory devices, motors or sensors, Baker says.

From Quanta Magazine

The technology for the shoe rests in a so-called bistable hinge, a patent-pending design that is built into the shoe’s outsole.

From Popular-Science