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# unstable

adjective (unstable; more unstable, most unstable)

«unstable» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Likely to fall over, move or break; not steady. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#m1)
2. Likely to change suddenly: unstable weather or prices. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#m2)
3. (science) Likely to change or break down into something else: an unstable chemical. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#m3)
4. (of a person's mood) Changing quickly and hard to predict. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science and design lessons: a tall thin tower is unstable; a wide base makes it stable. In safety: unstable cliffs, ice or ladders are dangerous. In news: unstable prices or governments. Phrases: «unstable ground», «emotionally unstable».

### Examples

- The tower of blocks was unstable and fell over. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#x1)
- Keep away from the unstable cliff edge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#x2)
- The ice on the pond is unstable, so don't walk on it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#x3)
- Some chemicals are unstable and can explode. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#x4)
- Food prices have been unstable this year. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#x5)
- A three-legged stool with one short leg is unstable. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/#x6)

### Note

Takes «an». Opposite: stable, steady. Science fact: a lower centre of gravity and a wider base make things more stable. Calling a person «unstable» is a serious and often unkind label.

## In Jewish tradition

In Jacob's blessing, Reuben is "unstable as water," meaning hasty and not steady.

**Interpretation.** Jacob says Reuben loses his place as firstborn because of the wrong he did. The tradition reads his lack of self-control as the reason he loses leadership.

### Examples

- Unstable as water, have not thou the excellency; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it — he went up to my couch. (Torah GEN.49.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unstable/#x1)

### Note

Takes «an». Opposite: stable, steady. Science fact: a lower centre of gravity and a wider base make things more stable. Calling a person «unstable» is a serious and often unkind label.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «unstable» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unstable/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«unstable» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/unstable.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «unstable» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/U/unstable/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«unstable» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/unstable.html) on Mova free.