- stable
- stable1adjective (stabler, stablest)1》 not likely to give way or overturn; firmly fixed.2》 not likely to change or fail.↘not deteriorating in health after an injury or operation.↘emotionally well-balanced.3》 not liable to undergo chemical decomposition or radioactive decay.Derivativesstably adverbOriginME: from Anglo-Norman Fr., from L. stabilis, from the base of stare 'to stand'.————————stable2noun1》 a building for housing horses.2》 an establishment where racehorses are kept and trained.3》 an establishment producing particular types of people or things.verb1》 put or keep (a horse) in a stable.2》 put or base (a train) in a depot.Phrasesshut (or bolt) the stable door after the horse has bolted Brit. try to prevent something undesirable when it is already too late to do so.Derivativesstableful noun (plural stablefuls).OriginME: shortening of OFr. estable 'stable, pigsty', from L. stabulum, from the base of stare 'to stand'.
English new terms dictionary. 2014.