Origin and history of stabilize

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 destabilise, "deprive of stability," 1928 in a chemistry and physics sense; earlier (1919) with reference to political systems, commercial markets, etc.; see de- + stabilize. Related: Destabilized; destabilizing.