stability English · revision 6055

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1349|origins=la stabilis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /stəˈbɪl.ə.ti/, US /stəˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English stabylte, stabilite, [[bor|fro|stableté|t=firmness, solidity, durability]], also estableté,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[la|stabilitās|t=a standing fast, firmness]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|stabilis|t=steadfast, firm]] (see [[stable#2]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Firmness, steadfastness or permanence, of persons and character: probably before 1349 in Barnhart, the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline sums up the notion as the ability to remain in some condition or position in spite of influences.^(Etymonline) Of political or social orders it is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) The physical power of remaining upright and not being overthrown is from 1426,^(OED 1989) fixity of position in space from 1625,^(OED 1989) and the ability of a body to return to its position after disturbance from before 1542.^(OED 1989) The permanence of a system of bodies is from 1855, the resistance of a chemical compound to decomposition from 1862, and the permanence of a colour from 1791.^(OED 1989) Mental soundness is a later development of the sense of steadfast character.^(SOED 2002) [[stabilize|alt=Stabilize]] is from 1861, borrowed from French stabiliser.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1349 – firmness of character.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – of political orders.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1426 – the power of remaining upright.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1625 – fixity of position.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1861 – stabilize.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1862 – of chemical compounds.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state or quality of being stable; resistance to change, decay or displacement.^(AHD)

+ # Steadiness of character or purpose; mental soundness.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The ability of an object, such as a [[ship]] or [[aircraft]], to keep or regain its balance.^(AHD)

+ # ''(chemistry)'' The ability of a compound to resist [[decomposition]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[autostability]]

+ * [[nonstability]]

+ * [[overstability]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[stable]]

+ * [[stabilize]]

+ * [[establish]]

+ * [[stand]]

+ * [[stay]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}