Part 714

Squi*tee" (?), n. [From the N. American Indian name.] (Zoöl.) The squeteague; -- called also squit.

Stab (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stabbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Stabbing.] [Cf. OD. staven to fix, fasten, fr. stave, staff, a staff, rod; akin to G. stab a staff, stick, E. staff; also Gael. stob to stab, as n., a stake, a stub. Cf. Staff.] 1. To pierce with a pointed weapon; to wound or kill by the thrust of a pointed instrument; as, to stab a man with a dagger; also, to thrust; as, to stab a dagger into a person.

2. Fig.: To injure secretly or by malicious falsehood or slander; as, to stab a person's reputation.

Stab, v. i. 1. To give a wound with a pointed weapon; to pierce; to thrust with a pointed weapon.

None shall dare With shortened sword to stab in closer war.

Dryden.

2. To wound or pain, as if with a pointed weapon.

She speaks poniards, and every word stabs.

Shak.

To stab at, to offer or threaten to stab; to thrust a pointed weapon at.

Stab, n. 1. The thrust of a pointed weapon.

2. A wound with a sharp-pointed weapon; as, to fall by the stab an assassin. Shak.

3. Fig.: An injury inflicted covertly or suddenly; as, a stab given to character.

||Sta"bat Ma"ter (?). [L., the mother was standing.] A celebrated Latin ||hymn, beginning with these words, commemorating the sorrows of the ||mother of our Lord at the foot of the cross. It is read in the Mass ||of the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, and is sung by Catholics when ||making "the way of the cross" (Via Crucis). See Station, 7 (c).

Stab"ber (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, stabs; a privy murderer.

2. (Naut.) A small marline spike; a pricker.

Stab"bing*ly (?), adv. By stabbing; with intent to injure covertly. Bp. Parker.

Sta*bil"i*ment (?), n. [L. stabilimentum, fr. stabilire to make firm ir stable, fr. stabilis. See Stable, a.] The act of making firm; firm support; establishment. [R.] Jer. taylor.

They serve for stabiliment, propagation, and shade.

Derham.

Sta*bil"i*tate (?), v. t. [LL. stabilitatus, p. p. of stabilitare to make stable.] To make stable; to establish. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Sta*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. stabilitas; cf. F. stabilité. See Stable, a.] 1. The state or quality of being stable, or firm; steadiness; firmness; strength to stand without being moved or overthrown; as, the stability of a structure; the stability of a throne or a constitution.

2. Steadiness or firmness of character, firmness of resolution or purpose; the quality opposite to fickleness, irresolution, or inconstancy; constancy; steadfastness; as, a man of little stability, or of unusual stability.

3. Fixedness; -- as opposed to fluidity.

Since fluidness and stability are contary qualities.

Boyle.

Syn. -- Steadiness; stableness; constancy; immovability; firmness.

Sta"ble (?), a. [OE. estable, F. stable, fr. L. stabilis, fr. stare to stand. See Stand, v. i. and cf. Establish.] 1. Firmly established; not easily moved, shaken, or overthrown; fixed; as, a stable government.