Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
3,910,551,903 visitors served.
forum Join the Word of the Day Mailing List For webmasters
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

instability

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
instability
1. tendency to variable or unpredictable behaviour
2. Physics a fast growing disturbance or wave in a plasma
instability [‚in·stə′bil·əd·ē]
(control systems)
A condition of a control system in which excessive positive feedback causes persistent, unwanted oscillations in the output of the system.
(physics)
A property of the steady state of a system such that certain disturbances or perturbations introduced into the steady state will increase in magnitude, the maximum perturbation amplitude always remaining larger than the initial amplitude.
instability
In a structure, the sudden loss of stiffness that limits its load-carrying capability, and in some cases results in the structure’s failure.
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link 		Feedback
Mentioned in?  References in classic literature?   Encyclopedia browser?   Full browser?
No references found
 
Do not think me unkind for such an exercise of my power, nor accuse me of instability without first hearing my reasons.
Lady Susan by Austen, Jane View in context
Thus saith Cide Hamete the Mahometan philosopher; for there are many that by the light of nature alone, without the light of faith, have a comprehension of the fleeting nature and instability of this present life and the endless duration of that eternal life we hope for; but our author is here speaking of the rapidity with which Sancho's government came to an end, melted away, disappeared, vanished as it were in smoke and shadow.
Don Quixote by Cervantes, Miguel View in context
Its instability startled me extremely, and I had a queer reminiscence of the childish days when I used to be forbidden to meddle.
The Time Machine by Wells, H.G. View in context
 
 
 
Encyclopedia
?

Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Feedback | Advertise with Us | Copyright © 2012 Farlex, Inc.
Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.