stable

Where does the word "stable" come from? It comes from Latin stabulum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Stable’s story begins in Latin: stabulum meant “standing place, stall.” From 'stare', to stand. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estable. The same root as the adjective 'stable', steady. It reached English by 1200s as stable. 'stable' of racehorses or companies came later. Today, stable means a building for horses.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient stabulum "standing place, stall", from 'stare', to stand.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval estable "stall for animals", the same root as the adjective 'stable', steady.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s stable "a horse building", 'stable' of racehorses or companies came later.