stableAW [stablestablesstabledstabling] adjective, noun, verb BrE [ˈsteɪbl] NAmE [ˈsteɪbl] adjective 1. firmly fixed; not likely to move, change or fail Syn: ↑steady •stable prices •a stable relationship • This ladder doesn't seem very stable. • The patient's condition is stable (= it is not getting worse). •The situation in the country has remained relatively stable for a few months now. 2. (of a person)calm and reasonable; not easily upset Syn: ↑balanced • Mentally, she is not very stable. 3. (technical) (of a substance)staying in the same chemical or ↑atomic state •chemically stable •an element forming stable compounds Opp: ↑unstable
Word Origin: adj. Middle English Anglo-Norman French Latin stabilis stare ‘to stand’ n. and v. Middle English Old French estable ‘stable, pigsty’ Latin stabulum stare ‘to stand’
Thesaurus: stable adj. 1. •This ladder doesn't seem very stable. steady • • secure • • firm • Opp: unstable a stable/steady/secure/firm foundation a stable/secure/firm base 2. (usually approving) •Children need a stable home life. steady • • regular • • consistent • • even • • constant • |written unchanging • |sometimes disapproving, especially business static • Opp: unstable a/an stable/steady/even/constant temperature stable/steady/regular employment a stable/steady/regular relationship
Word Family: stable adjective (≠ unstable) stability noun (≠ instability) stabilize verb
Example Bank: •Don't worry— it's perfectly stable! •He was not emotionally stable enough to think through his decision. •Put a book under the table leg to keep it stable. •The unit is stable enough on level ground. •attempts to keep prices stable •He was not married, but he was in a stable relationship. •The industry should do everything it can to keep prices stable. •The patient's condition is stable. •These children badly need a stable and secure home life. •This ladder doesn't seem very stable. •a stable mind/relationship/family/home •a stable situation/environment/government/population •stable employment Derived Word: ↑stably
noun 1. countable a building in which horses are kept • The horse was led back to its stable. 2. (BrE also stables)countable + singular or plural verb an organization that keeps horses for a particular purpose: (BrE)a riding/racing stables • His stables are near Oxford. 3. countable a group of ↑racehorses owned or trained by the same person • There have been just three winners from his stable this season. 4. singular a group of people who work or trained in the same place; a group of products made by the same company •actors from the same stable •the latest printer from the Epson stable
Word Origin: adj. Middle English Anglo-Norman French Latin stabilis stare ‘to stand’ n. and v. Middle English Old French estable ‘stable, pigsty’ Latin stabulum stare ‘to stand’
Word Family: stable adjective (≠ unstable) stability noun (≠ instability) stabilize verb
verb ~ sth to put or keep a horse in a stable • Where do you stable your pony? Verb forms:
Word Origin: adj. Middle English Anglo-Norman French Latin stabilis stare ‘to stand’ n. and v. Middle English Old French estable ‘stable, pigsty’ Latin stabulum stare ‘to stand’
Word Family: stable adjective (≠ unstable) stability noun (≠ instability) stabilize verb
