stability
(stəˈbɪlɪtɪ)
Forms: α. 4 stabylte, stabulte, 4–5 stablete, 5 stabiltee. β. 5 stabilite, stabilitee, 5–6 stabylyte, 6–7 stabilitie (Dict. stabylitie), 7– stability.
[ME. stablete, a. OF. (e)stableté, semi-popular ad. L. stabilitās, f. stabili-s stable a.: see -ty. The β forms (= F. stabilité, from 12th c.) are assimilated to the Latin form.]
The quality or condition of being stable.
1. In physical senses. a. Power of remaining erect; freedom from liability to fall or be overthrown.
| 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 23472 Thyng that is maad by rule and lyne, In it self hath more beaute tendure, and mor stabilite. 1691 Ray Creation i. (1704) 119 The Roots [of a tree] for its stability and drawing Nourishment from the Earth. 1700 C. Nesse Antid. Armin. (1827) 22 The temple stood firmly upon those two pillars, Jachin and Boaz, i.e. stability and strength. 1712 Blackmore Creation i. 24 These subterranean Walls dispos'd with Art, Such Strength, and such Stability impart, That Storms..and Earthquakes..Break not the Pillars. 1746 Hervey Medit. (1748) 231 The Strength of an Oak, or the Stability of a Pyramid. 1894 H. Drummond Ascent of Man 414 The true function of the root is to give stability to the tree. |
| fig. 1585 C. Fetherstone tr. Calvin on Acts xv. 36. 381 There ought nothing..to bee more firme, than the spirituall building of faith, whose stabilitie is grounded in the very heauen. 1910 J. W. Harper Social Ideal x. 117 Social jerry-building has no stability. |
b. Fixity of position in space; freedom from liability to changes of place.
| 1625 N. Carpenter Geog. Del. i. v. (1635) 115 The stability is an affection of the earth whereby the Terrestriall Spheare is firmely settled in his proper place. 1664 Power Exp. Philos. iii. 168 An Intrinsecal Tendency that it [the Magnet] has of its own, to bring all its parts to their right and determinate points, there to remain in a perfect Stability. 1681 Cotton Wond. Peake 45 He..began to try This, and that hanging stone's stability, To prove their firmness. 1831 Brewster Newton x. 136 note, The doctrine of the motion of the earth and the stability of the sun. 1853 Sir H. Douglas Milit. Bridges 19 The gradual progress of rivers to their present state of comparative stability. |
c. Ability to remain in the same relative place or position in spite of disturbing influences; capacity for resistance to displacement; the condition of being in stable equilibrium, tendency to recover the original position after displacement. Also, of a body in motion: Freedom from oscillation, steadiness.
| a 1542 Wyatt Ps. xxxviii. 13 Such is thi hand on me, y{supt} in my fleshe for terrour of thy yre Is not on poynt of ferme stabilite. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. ii. ii. 57 Had they been acquainted with this principle, Anaxagoras, Socrates and Democritus had better made out the ground of this stability... Now whether the earth stand still, or moveth circularly, we may concede this Magneticall stability. 1794 G. Adams Nat. & Exp. Philos. III. xxviii. 162 Our motions..serve..to preserve constant stability amidst a variety of causes which tend to destroy it. 1796 Phil. Trans. LXXXVI. 52 When a solid body floats..and external force is applied to incline it from its position, the resistance opposed to this inclination is termed the stability of floating. 1799 Monthly Rev. XXX. 501 A method..for ascertaining the degree of stability or stiffness of a ship. 1855 D. K. Clark Railway Mach. 165/2 By steadiness or stability is meant the property of moving along the rail without any inclination from the centre-line of progression. 1877 W. H. White Man. Naval Archit. iii. 63 The statical stability of a ship may be defined as the effort which she makes when inclined by external forces acting horizontally, and held steadily at that inclination, to return towards her natural position of equilibrium. Ibid. iv. 131 On this assumption..dynamical stability may be defined as the ‘work’ done in heeling the ship from her upright position to any angle of inclination. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. II. 86/2 The spinning motion [of a top] gives a stability to the axis of rotation. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 751/1 (art. Mechanics) Safety against displacement by turning is called stability of position; safety against displacement by sliding, stability of friction. |
† d. ‘Fixedness; not fluidity’ (J.). Obs. rare.
| 1661 Boyle Physiol. Ess. (1669) 208 Since fluidness and stability being contrary qualities, are to be apprehended under contrary notions, we may conceive that the firmness or stability of a body consists principally in this, that the particles [etc.]. |
e. Of a system of bodies: Permanence of arrangement; power of resisting change of structure.
| 1855 Brewster Newton I. xiii. 358 This grand discovery..securing the stability of the system, is doubtless one of the noblest in physical astronomy. 1869 Huxley in Scientific Opinion Apr. 464/2 Whereby all perturbations eventually reduced themselves to oscillations on each side of a mean position, and the stability of the solar system was secured. |
f. Of a chemical compound or combination: Capacity to resist decomposition or disruption. Also of an atomic nucleus or sub-atomic particle.
| 1862 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. (ed. 2) 41 Such combinations are usually of small stability and are decomposed as rapidly as they are formed. 1877 J. C. Maxwell in Encycl. Brit. VI. 313 Now if such groups [of molecules] of greater stability are disseminated through the substance [etc.]. 1878 W. H. Wardell Explosives ibid. VIII. 808/1 The fulminates are among the most violent of all explosive compounds, their chemical stability being very small. 1955 J. A. Wheeler in W. Pauli Niels Bohr 163 (heading) Nuclear fission and nuclear stability. |
g. Of a colour: Permanence.
| 1791 Hamilton Berthollet's Dyeing I. i. i. iii. 45 The stability of colour consists in its power of resisting the action of acids, alkalis, &c. |
2. Of an immaterial thing: Immunity from destruction or essential change; enduring quality. a. of government, institutions, customs, etc.
| 1470–85 Malory Arthur xx. xviii. 829, I wote wel in me was not alle the stabylyte of this realme. c 1475 Henryson Poems III. 171/38 Now is stabilitee fundyn in na stage..Peas is away, all in perplexitee. 1584 Reg. Privy Council Scot. III. 699 The cuntrie being brocht to a greittar stabilitie. 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia iv. 148 Where there was no honesty..in such a Countrey..there can bee no stabilitie. 1655 Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 355 A progresse in the old way workes stability. 1767 A. Young Farmer's Lett. to People 15 The difference in stability of a commerce founded on the necessities or superfluities of life. 1800 Marq. Wellesley in Owen Desp. (1877) 732 The stability of our Government will bear a due proportion to its wisdom, liberality, and justice. 1858 Emerson Lett. & Soc. Aims, Pers. Poetry Wks. (Bohn) III. 237 Oriental life and society..stand in violent contrast with the..secular stability..of the western nations. 1859 F. W. Newman Let. 5 May in Sieveking Mem. (1909) 172 He [Louis Napoleon] covets stability and the glory of liberating Italy. 1867 Smiles Huguenots Eng. xix. (1880) 354 That enterprising and industrious middle class which gives stability to every state. 1873 C. Robinson N.S. Wales 32 The stability and expansiveness of this industry is proved by its steady and uniformly progressive development. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 123 He [Plato] is deeply struck with the stability of Egyptian institutions. 1882 Freeman Lect. Amer. Audiences ii. v. 396 What I see in England, in America, in Switzerland, is stability, the power to make changes..without pulling the whole political fabric down on the heads of the reformers. |
b. of the Divine nature or attributes. ? Obs.
| 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. i. iii. §4 The naturall generation and processe of all things receyueth order of proceeding from the setled stabilitie of diuine vnderstanding. 1707 Norris Treat. Humility iii. 84 When he compares himself with the central stability and immoveable subsistence of that great and glorious Being. |
c. of worldly estate, financial affairs.
| a 1628 Preston New Covt. (1629) 63 If you looke for stabilitie in your estate, and wonder why a change should come,..why didst thou expect stabilitie in that which is subject to vanitie? 1732 Belle Assemblée II. 295 Those devoted to Ambition; who seem, methinks, in a continual Whirl, are never in a state of Stability, or perfect Ease. 1814 Wordsw. Excurs. iii. 386 [The hermit craving] a life of peace, Stability without regret or fear; That hath been, is, and shall be evermore! 1833 H. Martineau Brooke Farm v. 69 It is the resource on which the proprietor mainly relies for the stability of his fortune. 1865 Lever Luttrell xl, A great London banking firm was associated with the enterprise, which, of course, gave the air of stability to the operation. 1865 M. E. Braddon Only a Clod xv, [He] suspends payment upon the first failure that affects his stability. |
d. of a science, theory, covenant, etc.
| 1655–60 Stanley Hist. Philos. v. ii. (1687) 181/2 Science..hath certitude, and Stability as being conversant in things certain and stable. a 1687 H. More Def. Cabbala App. ii. (1713) 119 Which number [eight] being the first cube, is a fit hieroglyphick of the Stability of that Covenant made with the Jews in Circumcision. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 158 ¶1 Criticism..has not yet attained the certainty and stability of science. 1751 Bp. Thomas in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. i. 306 The only Thing that could give Stability to their Proceedings. 1837 P. Keith Bot. Lex. 108 He will not admit that it shakes the stability of Mr. Knight's theory in the slightest degree. 1876 Mozley Univ. Serm. iv. 107 The Gospel language throws doubt upon the final stability of much that passes current here with respect to character. 1883 Manch. Guard. 22 Oct. 5/4 Some of his verses are purely occasional and have no claim to stability. |
e. of natural laws or sequences of natural phenomena; also, of a physical property or the system possessing it.
| 1836 Emerson Nature, Idealism Wks. (Bohn) II. 160 The frivolous make themselves merry with the Ideal theory, as if it affected the stability of nature. 1860 Maury Phys. Geog. (Low) iv. 100 The two systems of trade-winds are very unequal both as to force and stability. 1880 A. R. Wallace Isl. Life 225 The result would be an epoch of exceptional stability of species. 1881 J. Hooker in Nature No. 619. 445 The belief in the stability of climatal conditions during the lifetime of the existing assemblages of animals and plants. 1925 W. Greenwood Text-bk. Wireless Telegr. & Teleph. vi. 121 Stability is essential [in a receiver]. By this is meant that the sensitivity must be capable of being controlled by the operator, and must not be liable to be upset by the reception of very strong signals. 1962 J. H. & P. J. Reyner Radio Communication iv. 153 Modern conditions call for high stability, the capacitance being required to remain constant with time. 1963 B. Fozard Instrumentation & Control Nucl. Reactors x. 122 For high quality equipments..requiring a gain stability of 0·1% both H.T. and heater supplies must be stabilised. 1975 D. G. Fink Electronics Engineers' Handbk. xvii. 50 The stability of feedback systems is of great importance since an unstable system will not be effective in maintaining the controlled variable at approximately the desired value. |
† f. Put for: Source or cause of stability. Obs.
| 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. 45 The Essential Goodness and Wisdom of the Deity is the only Stability of all things. |
g. Something fixed or settled.
| 1833 Chalmers Constit. Man I. i. i. §1. 57 Just as much as the properties of a triangle are the enduring stabilities of mathematical science. 1847 Emerson Repr. Men, Montaigne Wks. (Bohn) I. 340 Adaptiveness is the peculiarity of human nature... We are golden averages, volitant stabilities, compensated or periodic errors. |
3. a. Of a person, his character or dispositions: The condition of ‘standing fast’; fixity of resolution or purpose; firmness, steadfastness. (The earliest recorded sense.)
| 13.. in Hampole's Wks. I. 75 Ihesu..Take my hert in till þi hand, sett me in stabylte. a 1400 Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. xxxii. 616 In al þe preyers he scholde in be Nis þer wiþ him [Lecherie] no stabulte. c 1400 Rom. Rose 2940 And alle lovers that wole be Feithful, and ful of stabilite. Ibid. 5532 And for nought ellis wol he flee, If that he love in stabilitee. 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 1934 Look that ye In trouthe, & in stablete Yee loue to-gydre. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 537 Tha war..So full of wisdome, gentres, and discretioun, With fredome, faith, and greit stabilitie. 1693 Owen Holy Spirit 71 It is hereon that our stability in Believing doth depend. 1784 Cowper Task i. 383 His firm stability to what he scorns. 1813 J. Jebb Let. 11 July in C. Forster Corr. Jebb & Knox (1834) II. 142 Whoever truly loves what is stable, will adhere to it with stability of affection. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits, Character Wks. (Bohn) II. 63 The stability of England is the security of the modern world. If the English race were as mutable as the French, what reliance? |
b. In the Benedictine order (tr. L. stabilitas): see quots.
| 1516 Rule St. Benet lviii. F 6 b, Whan she shall be reseyued she must..make a promisse of hir stabilite. 1657 Cressy Father Baker's Sancta Sophia iii. iv. §18. 187 Let him that is to be receiued to a Religious Profession, promise..1. A constant Stability in that state. 2. A conuersion of his Manners, and 3. Obedience... And as for Stability, it regards both these [2 and 3], adding to them a perseuerance and a continuall progresse in both to the end. 1883 R. F. Littledale in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 704/1 The method adopted [to extirpate irregular and vagrant monks] was the addition of a fourth vow, that of ‘stability’... This fourth vow bound the monk to continuance in his profession, and even to residence for life at the monastery in which he was professed. |
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▸ stability ball n. a large inflatable ball used in various fitness exercises, esp. to strengthen the abdominal and back muscles.
| 1995 Philadelphia Enquirer 14 Aug. g3/1 On a *stability ball the muscles of the trunk rarely get a break; they're constantly working to balance and stabilize your body. 2002 Wall St. Jrnl. 16 Dec. r3/2 The stability ball, in particular, ‘is one of the best pieces of [exercise] equipment out there. You can train your whole body on it, or use it as a chair at your desk. Sitting on a ball requires strength.’ 2004 Men's Jrnl. Mar. 39/1 Lie on a stability ball so that your back is supported by the ball. |