Origin and history of stable

early 13c., "building or enclosure with stalls where horses or cows are kept, building for domestic animals," from Old French stable, estable "a stable, stall" (Modern French étable), also applied to cowsheds and pigsties, and directly from Latin stabulum "a stall, fold, aviary, beehive, lowly cottage, brothel, etc.," etymologically "a standing place" (from PIE *ste-dhlo-, suffixed form of root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm").

The meaning "collection of horses belonging to a particular (racing) stable" is attested from 1570s; the transferred sense of "group of fighters under same management" is from 1897; that of "group of prostitutes working for the same employer" is by 1937.

For what the grete Stiede

Is stole, thanne he taketh hiede,

And makth the stable dore fast.

[John Gower, "Confessio Amantis," 1390]

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; well-founded, well-established, 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.

"put (a horse) in a stable," early 14c., stablen, from stable (n.) or from Old French establer, establir (see establish). Stabler "one who provides food and accommodation for horses" is attested by late 12c. as a surname. A different Middle English stablen meant "put in a certain place or position; institute, enact, establish," from Old French establir and directly from Latin stabilire. Related: Stabled; stabling.