stable

Universal Words adjective, noun, verb adjective 1 firmly fixed; not likely to move, change or fail SYNSTEADY: stable prices / employment * 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 SYNBALANCED: 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 OPPUNSTABLE stably adverb noun 1 [C] a building in which horses are kept: The horse was led back to its stable. 2 (BrE also stables) [C+sing./pl.v.] an organization that keeps horses for a particular purpose: (BrE) a riding / racing stables * His stables are near Oxford. 3 [C] a group of RACEHORSES owned or trained by the same person: There have been just three winners from his stable this season. 4 [sing.] 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 IDIOMS close, lock, etc. the stable door after the horse has bolted (BrE) (AmE close, etc. the barn door after the horse has escaped) to try to prevent or avoid loss or damage when it is already too late to do so verb [VN] to put or keep a horse in a stable: Where do you stable your pony? ______________________________ WORDFAMILY stable adj. (=/= unstable) stability n. (=/= instability) stabilize v. ______________________________