catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Stable \Sta"ble\ (st[=a]"b'l), a. [OF. estable, F. stable, fr.
     L. stabilis, fr. stare to stand. See Stand, v. i. and cf.
     Establish.]
     1. Firmly established; not easily moved, shaken, or
        overthrown; fixed; as, a stable government.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              In this region of chance, . . . where nothing is
              stable.                               --Rogers.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Steady in purpose; constant; firm in resolution; not
        easily diverted from a purpose; not fickle or wavering;
        as, a man of stable character.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              And to her husband ever meek and stable. --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Durable; not subject to overthrow or change; firm; as, a
        stable foundation; a stable position.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Physics) So placed as to resist forces tending to cause
        motion; of such structure as to resist distortion or
        molecular or chemical disturbance; -- said of any body or
        substance.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     Stable equilibrium (Mech.), the kind of equilibrium of a
        body so placed that if disturbed it returns to its former
        position, as in the case when the center of gravity is
        below the point or axis of support; -- opposed to
        unstable equilibrium, in which the body if disturbed
        does not tend to return to its former position, but to
        move farther away from it, as in the case of a body
        supported at a point below the center of gravity. Cf.
        Neutral equilibrium, under Neutral.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: Fixed; steady; constant; abiding; strong; durable; firm.
          [1913 Webster]

  stable equilibrium
     n.
     (lb en physics) an equilibrium in which a small disturbance causes it
  to move back to the original state

  stable equilibrium
     n.
     (lb en physics) an equilibrium in which a small disturbance causes it
  to move back to the original state

  stable equilibrium
     n.
     (lb en physics) an equilibrium in which a small disturbance causes it
  to move back to the original state

  stable equilibrium
     n.
     (lb en physics) an equilibrium in which a small disturbance causes it
  to move back to the original state

  stable equilibrium /stˈeɪbəl ˌiːkwɪlˈɪbɹiəm/ 
  vakaa tasapaino