stāˈbilate noun (biology)

A population, usu of a micro-organism, preserved in a viable condition on a unique occasion, eg by freezing

stāˈbile /-bīl or -bil/ adjective

1. Stable (rare)
2. Not moving
3. Not fluctuating
4. Not decomposing readily, eg under moderate heat

An abstract art construction of metal, wire, wood, differing from a mobile in having no movement

stability /stə-bilˈi-ti/ noun

1. The state of being stable
2. Steadiness
3. Fixity
4. The power of recovering equilibrium
5. The fixing by vow of a monk or nun to one convent for life

stabilization or stabilisation /stab-, stāb-i-lī-zāˈshən, or -li-/ noun

staˈbilizātor or staˈbilisātor noun

stabilize or stabilise /stabˈ or stābˈ/ transitive verb

1. To render stable or steady
2. To fix
3. To fix the value of
4. To establish, maintain, or regulate the equilibrium of

stabˈilizer or stabˈiliser noun

1. Anything that stabilizes
2. An additional plane or other device for giving stability to an aircraft
3. A gyroscope or other means of steadying a ship
4. Any measure, such as progressive taxation, reduction of subsidy, etc, taken to control production, restrict fluctuations in prices, etc (economics)
5. A substance that retards chemical action, eg an additive to food
6. (in pl) an extra pair of small wheels attached to (usu the back wheels of) a child's bicycle

stāˈbleness noun

stāˈbly adverb

stable equilibrium noun

The condition in which a body will return to its old position after a slight displacement