stable
1- a building for the lodging and feeding of horses, cattle, etc.
- such a building with stalls.
- a collection of animals housed in such a building.
- Horse Racing.
- an establishment where racehorses are kept and trained.
- the horses belonging to, or the persons connected with, such an establishment.
- Informal.
- a number of people, usually in the same profession, who are employed, trained, or represented by the same company, agency, manager, etc.: a comedy show with a large stable of writers.
- the establishment that trains or manages such a group of people: two boxers from the same stable.
- a collection of items produced by or belonging to an establishment, industry, profession, or the like: The American auto industry has some new small cars in its stable.
- to put or lodge in or as if in a stable.
- to live in or as if in a stable.
Origin of stable
1Synonyms for stable
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comstable
2- not likely to fall or give way, as a structure, support, foundation, etc.; firm; steady.
- able or likely to continue or last; firmly established; enduring or permanent: a stable government.
- resistant to sudden change or deterioration: A stable economy is the aim of every government.
- steadfast; not wavering or changeable, as in character or purpose; dependable.
- not subject to emotional instability or illness; sane; mentally sound.
- Physics. having the ability to react to a disturbing force by maintaining or reestablishing position, form, etc.
- Chemistry. not readily decomposing, as a compound; resisting molecular or chemical change.
- (of a patient's condition) exhibiting no significant change.
Origin of stable
2Synonyms for stable
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for stable
secure, solid, durable, safe, steady, fast, permanent, calm, balanced, strong, substantial, reliable, lasting, even, established, set, tough, stout, invariable, uniformExamples from the Web for stable
Contemporary Examples of stable
At St. Barnabas Hospital, Pellerano was listed in stable condition with wounds to his chest and arm.
The country, long viewed as stable, has recently been home to upheaval.
Spencer was listed in stable condition up at the hospital as Guilavogui handed out the last copy.
The motorcyclist has since been discharged from hospital, while the taxi driver is in a 'stable' condition, the Mail reports.
The United States is now the only really powerful nation to have eased into stable democratic government from the ground up.
Historical Examples of stable
The new mare and the dog-cart in charge of the stable lad were there, but no Dick.
VivietteWilliam J. Locke
"Give this to Mr. Ware," she said to the stable boy as she prepared to get into the dog-cart.
VivietteWilliam J. Locke
When Sidney saw the outline of the stable roof, she knew that it was dawn.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
I shouldn't like to have horses in that man's stable—he's too good a trainer for me.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
When I went to the stable to get him he wasn't worth much, Andy—he was dead.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
stable
1- a building, usually consisting of stalls, for the lodging of horses or other livestock
- the animals lodged in such a building, collectively
- the racehorses belonging to a particular establishment or owner
- the establishment itself
- (as modifier)stable companion
- informal a source of training, such as a school, theatre, etcthe two athletes were out of the same stable
- a number of people considered as a source of a particular talenta stable of writers
- (modifier) of, relating to, or suitable for a stablestable manners
- to put, keep, or be kept in a stable
Word Origin for stable
stable
2- steady in position or balance; firm
- lasting or permanenta stable relationship
- steadfast or firm of purpose
- (of an elementary particle, atomic nucleus, etc) not undergoing decay; not radioactivea stable nuclide
- (of a chemical compound) not readily partaking in a chemical change
- (of electronic equipment) with no tendency to self-oscillation
Word Origin for stable
Word Origin and History for stable
"building where horses or cows are kept," early 13c., "building for domestic animals," from Old French estable "a stable, stall" (also applied to cowsheds and pigsties), from Latin stabulum "a stall, fold, aviary, etc." literally "a standing place," from stem of stare "to stand" (see stet).
Meaning "collection of horses belonging to one stable is attested from 1570s; transferred sense of "group of fighters under same management" is from 1897; that of "group of prostitutes working for the same employer" is from 1937.
For what the grete Stiede
Is stole, thanne he taketh hiede,
And makth the stable dore fast.
[John Gower, "Confessio Amantis," 1390]
"steadfast, firm," mid-13c., from Old French estable, from Latin stabilis "firm, steadfast," literally "able to stand," from stem of stare "to stand" (see stet). Physical sense of "secure against falling" is recorded from late 14c. Of nuclear isotopes, from 1904.
"to put (a horse) in a stable," early 14c., from stable (n.). Related: Stabled; stabling.
stable
(stā′bəl)- Resistant to change of position or condition.
- Not subject to mental illness or irrationality.
- Having no known mode of decay; indefinitely long-lived. Used of atomic particles.
- Not easily decomposed or otherwise modified chemically.
stable
- Not susceptible to a process of decay, such as radioactivity. For example, the most common isotope of carbon, carbon 12, is stable. Protons and photons are examples of stable subatomic particles. See more at decay.
- Relating to a chemical compound that does not easily decompose or change into other compounds. Water is an example of a stable compound.
- Relating to an atom or chemical element that is unlikely to share electrons with another atom or element.
- Not likely to change significantly or to deteriorate suddenly, as an individual's medical condition.
Idioms and Phrases with stable
stable
see lock the barn (stable) door after the horse has bolted.