stable

[O. Fr. estable (Fr. stable ), from Lat. stabilis stable, standing firmly, from sto =to stand; Sp. estable; Ital. stabile.] I. Ordinary Language : 1. Fixed; firmly established; not to be easily moved, shaken, or overthrown; firmly fixed, settled, or established. 2. Steady and constant in resolution or purpose; firm in resolution; not fickle or changeable; constant. "God [saith he] is the prince and ruler over all, alwayes one, stable , immovable, like to himself."- Cudworth : In tell . System , p. 393. 3. Abiding. durable, lasting; not subject to change or destruction. "He perfect, stable ; but imperfect we, Subject to change, and different in degree." Dryden: Palamon and Arcite , iii, 1,046. II. Physics : Not easily moved from a state of equilibrium. [EQUILIBRIUM, II. 2.] Stable and unstable equilibrium: [EQUILIB FIUM.] stā-ble, s . [O. Fr. estable (Fr. étable ), from Lat. stabulum a standing-place, an abode, a stall, a stable, from sto =to stand; Sp. establo .] 1. A house or building constructed to lodge and feed horses, and furnished with stalls, racks, mangers, and all other nece ary equipments. "Full many a deinte hors hadde he in stable ." Chaucer: C. T. , 168. (Prol.) The word is often used in a wider sense, as equivalent to a house, shed, or building for beasts generally, as a cowshed, . 2. A racing-stable; an establishment where racehorses are trained. "They can insure a straight run for their money in connection with this stable ." -Referee , April 24, 1887. 3. ( Pl .) Mil .: Attendance on horses in the stables. "They seem always at stables , on parade, or out doing field-firing." London Morning Post.