stabilis Latin · revision 7012

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *steh₂-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈsta.bɪ.lɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈstaː.bi.lis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''stabilis''' (neuter stabile, comparative stabilior, superlative stabilissimus, adverb stabiliter); third-declension two-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[stō]] “to stand” with the suffix [[-bilis]], so “where one can stand”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Poultney compares [[xum|stafli]] and reconstructs a Proto-Italic *staðlis, though de Vaan leaves the Umbrian word uncertain.^(Wiktionary) ⟨Stō⟩ is from [[ine-pro|*steh₂-|t=to stand]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Plautus, whom he dates c. 250–184 BC, and the OLD's earliest citation for lasting institutions is from Plautus.^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant where one can stand, firm, as Cicero's level and firm road opposed to a steep and slippery one, standing firm, steady, of a battle stationary, as in Livy.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) It meant immovable, of ground or a ship steady, and in Cato continuing at a steady rate, regular, and in metre measured.^(OLD 2012) Figuratively it meant firmly established, lasting, of institutions, and of feelings or persons constant, steadfast, as in Cicero.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant firm, steadfast, steady.^(Stelten 1995) In Medieval Latin it meant immovable, of property.^(Niermeyer 1976) [[en|stable]] came through Old French in the mid-12th century, first as “trustworthy, reliable”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of lasting institutions.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of a steady rate.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of firm ground and constant minds.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-12th century – English ''stable'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Standing firm, steady; of a battle, stationary.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Firm, immovable, [[m|en|stable]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Constant, regular; of metre, measured.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Firmly established, lasting, [[m|en|permanent]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of persons or feelings, constant, [[m|en|steadfast]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Of property, immovable.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[constibilis]]

+ * [[īnstabilis]]

+ * [[stabiliō]]

+ * [[stabilitās]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[stabilīmen]]

+ * [[stabilīmentum]]

+ * [[stabilītor]]

+ * [[stō]]

+ * [[firmus]]

+ * [[cōnstāns]]

+ * [[en|stable]]

+ * [[en|stability]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}