Origin and history of stability

stability(n.)

mid-14c., stabilite, of persons or character, "firmness of resolve, mental equilibrium, steadfastness," from Old French stablete, establete "firmness, solidity, stability; durability, constancy" (Modern French stabilité), from Latin stabilitatem (nominative stabilitas) "a standing fast, firmness," figuratively "security, steadfastness," from stabilis "steadfast, firm" (see stable (adj.)). The notion is "ability to remain in some condition or position in spite of influences."

Of political or social orders from late 14c. In a physical sense, "state of being difficult to overthrow, power of remaining upright," it is recorded from early 15c. The meaning "continuance in the same state" is from 1540s.

What I see in England, in America, in Switzerland, is stability, the power to make changes, when change is needed, without pulling the whole political fabric down on the heads of the reformers. [E. A. Freeman, "Lectures to American Audiences," 1882]

also from mid-14c.

Entries linking to stability

stable(adj.)

mid-12c., "trustworthy, reliable;" mid-13c., "constant, steadfast; virtuous;" from Old French stable, estable "constant, steadfast, unchanging," from Latin stabilis "firm, steadfast, stable, fixed," figuratively "durable, unwavering," etymologically "able to stand" (from PIE *stedhli-, suffixed form of root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm").

It is attested from c. 1300 as "firm, fixed, permanent in its place; well-founded, lasting upon its foundations, secure" (of governments, etc.). The physical sense of "secure against falling" is recorded from late 14c., as is the meaning "of even temperament." Of nuclear isotopes, from 1904. Related: Stably.

stabilize(v.)

also stabilise, 1861, "render stable, give stability to," originally of ships; probably a back-formation from stability, or else from French stabiliser. Related: Stabilized; stabilizing. Earlier verbs in the same sense were stabilitate "make stable; establish" (1640s) and simple stable (v.) "make steady or firm, make stable" (c. 1300), from Old French establir. Browning (!871) used stabilify "render stable, fixed, or firm."