▪ I. instable, a. Now rare.
(ɪnˈsteɪb(ə)l)
Also 8 instabile.
[ad. L. instabil-is, f. in- (in-3) + stabilis stable. Cf. F. instable (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
Not stable; lacking stability; unstable.
| 1483 [implied in instableness]. 1599 Minsheu ii, Instable or vnstable. 1638 Chillingw. Relig. Prot. i. i. §8. 36 A building cannot be stable, if any one of the necessary pillars thereof be infirme and instable. 1711 E. Ward Vulgus Brit. iv. 48 Who would have thought the Rabble were so ingrateful and instable? 1858 Lardner Hand-bk. Nat. Phil., Hydrost., etc. vii. 130 The equilibrium of a boat may be rendered instable by the passengers standing up in it. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 914 Persons of instable nervous system may be less able to withstand such influences [of tobacco]. |
▪ II. † inˈstable, v. Obs. rare—0.
[f. in-2 + stable n.]
trans. To stable (a horse. etc.).
| 1611 Florio, Installare, to install, to instable. |