stationarysta‧tion‧a‧ry /ˈsteɪʃənəri $ -neri/ ●○○ adjective 
Word Origin
How did you manage to drive into a stationary vehicle? ► Do not confuse with the noun stationery (=writing materials such as paper).
Word OriginWORD ORIGINstationary
ExamplesOrigin:
1400-1500 Latin stationarius, from statio; ➔ STATION1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- a four-mile queue of stationary traffic
- The stars appear stationary because they are so far away.
- The truck swerved and hit a stationary vehicle.
- It is called a sinker because it sinks beneath you when you are stationary.
- It sounds mean as hell; you can feel the engine resonating through the petrol tank when the bike is stationary.
- Picture a shallow pool with a glassy surface, and in the pool picture minnows fluttering their tail fins but otherwise stationary.
- The floor of the dome was covered with various machinery, all stationary, and walled constructions.
Longman Language Activatornot moving► still
Collocations not moving - use this especially about people who are not moving, or about places where there is no wind: · There was no wind and the trees were completely still.still water: · Anna looked out across the still waters of the lake.keep/stand/sit still: · Keep still while I tie your shoes.· Percy was so thrilled he could hardly sit still.
► stationary: stationary car/vehicle/truck/traffic a car, vehicle etc that is not moving: · The truck swerved and hit a stationary vehicle.· a four-mile queue of stationary traffic
► be at a standstill if traffic is at a standstill it is not moving. If rail or bus services are at a standstill they have stopped operating: · Traffic was at a standstill on the motorway.bring something to a standstill (=make it stop moving or operating): · A severe storm brought rail services to a standstill yesterday.
► calm not moving because there is no wind: dead calm (=completely calm): · The sea was dead calm.calm night/evening etc: · The night was calm and warm.· It was a calm, clear, beautiful day.
► motionless completely still - used especially in literature: · Four motionless figures stood on the pier.stand/sit/remain motionless: · I could see my father standing motionless in the doorway.· Kemp sat motionless as the verdict was read.
► immobile not moving or not able to move, especially because of fear or tiredness: · Brigg was immobile, his eyes fixed on the horizon.immobile with: · I stood there, immobile with terror.
► be glued/rooted to to be unable to move from the place where you are standing or sitting because you are very frightened, surprised, or interested by something that is happening: be glued to the TV/your chair etc: · Dad was glued to the TV all day long.· We were glued to our chairs and listening intently to every word.be glued/rooted to the spot: · I was rooted to the spot, unable to take my eyes off the strange creature.
► not move a muscle to be completely still, especially because you are frightened or because you do not want someone to see you: · She hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.· I didn't dare move a muscle. He would have shot me.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN► phase
standing still instead of moving: · The mobile phase flows continuously over the stationary phase and as it does so separates the components on the stationary phase.· Chromatographic methods always involve a stationary phase and a moving phase.· The mobile phase flows continuously over the stationary phase and as it does so separates the components on the stationary phase.· Separation of the components on or in the stationary phase by a continuous flow of the mobile phase.· A component with a small value for D remains largely adsorbed on the stationary phase.· As the moving phase passes over it, this component moves slowly along the stationary phase.· Successive quant ties of solvent are added to ensure the solvent level remains above the stationary phase.
How did you manage to drive into a stationary vehicle? ► Do not confuse with the noun stationery (=writing materials such as paper).