Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Resistant to change; not easily moved or altered: Describes something that is firmly fixed, balanced, or unlikely to change its state, position, or condition.
   • Steady and dependable; not fluctuating: Refers to something that remains constant and reliable over time, without sudden shifts.
   • (Chemistry) Not readily taking part in chemical change: Describes a substance that is chemically inert or unreactive under normal conditions.

2. Noun:

   • A building for housing and feeding livestock: Specifically, a building on a farm where animals such as horses or cattle are kept.

3. Verb:

   • To put or keep (an animal) in a stable: The act of housing an animal in such a building.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • After the renovations, the old table is now perfectly stable.
  • The country has enjoyed a period of stable government for a decade.
  • Noble gases are chemically stable.

• Noun:

  • The horses were led back to the stable after their morning exercise.

• Verb:

  • We need to stable the horses before the storm arrives.

Advanced Usage

• "Stable equilibrium" (Physics/Engineering): A state where a system, if slightly disturbed, tends to return to its original position.

  • The design of the ship ensures it remains in a stable equilibrium even in rough seas.

• "Stable isotope" (Chemistry/Geology): A form of an element that does not undergo radioactive decay.

  • Scientists analyzed the stable isotopes of oxygen in the ice core samples.

Variants and Related Words

• Stability (n): The state or quality of being stable.
  • The engineer tested the bridge for structural stability.
• Stabilize (v): To make or become stable.
  • The government acted to stabilize the currency.
• Unstable (adj): The opposite of stable; not firm, steady, or constant.
  • The political situation in the region remains unstable.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Steady, firm, secure, constant, durable, unchanging.
• Noun: Barn, shed, mews (for horses).
• Verb: House, shelter, keep.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• "Stable over": (Technical/Mathematical) To remain constant across a range or period.
  • The algorithm's performance is stable over a wide variety of inputs.

Related Idioms

• "Close the stable door after the horse has bolted": To try to prevent something bad from happening after it has already happened and it is too late.
  • Increasing security now is like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted; the data has already been stolen.

Adjective

1. showing little if any change
   • a static population
2. maintaining equilibrium
3. not taking part readily in chemical change
4. firm and dependable; subject to little fluctuation
   • the economy is stable
5. resistant to change of position or condition
   • a stable ladder
   • a stable peace
   • a stable relationship
   • stable prices

Noun

1. a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

Verb

1. shelter in a stable
   • stable horses