Where does “unstable” come from?
Unstable comes from English un- plus stable, which derives from Latin stabilis (able to stand), from the Proto-Indo-European root steh₂- meaning to stand or be firm.
unstable (English): Having a strong tendency to change; Fluctuating;...
Definitions
- Having a strong tendency to change; Fluctuating;...
Ancestry of “unstable”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | stable | A building, wing or dependency set apart and... |
| 2 | Middle English | stable | stable; Alternative form of stablie; Alternative... |
| 3 | Anglo-Norman | stable | — |
| 4 | Latin | stabilis | That stands firm; firm, steadfast, steady, sure,... |
| 5 | Latin | stare | present active infinitive of stō; stand; to be |
| 6 | Latin | sto | I stand; I stay, remain; I am |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | staēō | stand |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | sth₂éh₁yeti | to stand |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | *steh₂- | — |