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stable
1[ stey-buhl ]
/ ˈsteɪ bəl /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
verb (used with object), sta·bled, sta·bling.
to put or lodge in or as if in a stable.
verb (used without object), sta·bled, sta·bling.
to live in or as if in a stable.
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Origin of stable
1First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English stable, stabel(e), from Old French estable, from Latin stabulum “stall; shed,” equivalent to sta-, stem of stāre “to stand” + -bulum noun suffix denoting place; see origin at stand
OTHER WORDS FROM stable
sta·ble·like, adjectiveun·sta·bled, adjectiveWords nearby stable
Other definitions for stable (2 of 2)
stable2
[ stey-buhl ]
/ ˈsteɪ bəl /
adjective, sta·bler, sta·blest.
OTHER WORDS FOR stable
Origin of stable
2First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English stable, stabel(e), from Old French estable, stable, from Latin stabilis stabile
OTHER WORDS FROM stable
sta·ble·ness, nounstably, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use stable in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for stable (1 of 2)
stable1
/ (ˈsteɪbəl) /
noun
verb
to put, keep, or be kept in a stable
Word Origin for stable
C13: from Old French estable cowshed, from Latin stabulum shed, from stāre to stand
British Dictionary definitions for stable (2 of 2)
stable2
/ (ˈsteɪbəl) /
adjective
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
Derived forms of stable
stableness, nounstably, adverbWord Origin for stable
C13: from Old French estable, from Latin stabilis steady, from stāre to stand
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for stable
stable
[ stā′bəl ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with stable
stable
see lock the barn (stable) door after the horse has bolted.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.