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Webster 1913 Edition


Instability

Inˊsta-bil′i-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Instabilities
(#)
.
[L.
instabilitas
: cf. F.
instabilité
.]
1.
The quality or condition of being unstable; lack of stability, firmness, or steadiness; liability to give way or to fail; insecurity; precariousness;
as, the
instability
of a building
.
Syn. – Inconstancy; fickleness; changeableness; wavering; unsteadiness; unstableness.

Webster 1828 Edition


Instability

INSTABIL'ITY

,
Noun.
[L. instabilitas, instabilis; in and stabilis, from sto, to stand.
1.
Want of stability; want of firmness in purpose; inconstancy; fickleness; mutability of opinion or conduct. Instability is the characteristic of weak minds.
2.
Changeableness; mutability; as the instability of laws, plans or measures.