Definition of Labile

1. Adjective. (chemistry, physics, biology) readily undergoing change or breakdown.

Category relationships: Biological Science, Biology
Similar to: Reactive

2. Adjective. Liable to change. "An emotionally labile person"
Similar to: Imbalanced, Unbalanced

Definition of Labile

1. a. Liable to slip, err, fall, or apostatize.

Definition of Labile

1. Adjective. Liable to slip, err, fall, or apostatize. ¹

2. Adjective. Apt or likely to change. ¹

3. Adjective. (context: chemistry of a compound or bond) Kinetically unstable; rapidly cleaved (and possibly reformed). ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Labile

1. likely to change [adj]

Medical Definition of Labile

1. 1. Gliding, moving from point to point over the surface, unstable, fluctuating. 2. Chemically unstable. Origin: L. Labilis = unstable, from labi = to glide This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Labile

labidometer
labidometers
labifying
labile (current term)
labile affect
labile current
labile elements
labile factor
labile hypertension
labile pulse
labile verb
labilities
lability
labimeter
labimeters
labio-velar

Literary usage of Labile

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1900)
"SCIENCE. mérous compounds are known which very easily undergo a chemical change ; modern chemistry defines them as labile (unstable) compounds. ..."

2. The Phase Rule by Wilder Dwight Bancroft (1897)
"These labile equilibria occur in all systems, and we will take up first the supercooled ... This equilibrium is now labile, for the addition of the smallest ..."

3. The Chemistry of the Diazo-compounds by John Cannell Cain (1908)
"The labile and stable isomeric diazo-compounds.—In studying the properties of these compounds it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the labile or ..."

4. A Text-book of mental diseases by William Bevan Lewis (1890)
"Definition—Establishment of labile Equilibrium—Prevalence at Sexual Decadence—Heredity—Influence of Neurotic Heritage and of Ancestral ..."

5. A Practical Treatise on the Medical & Surgical Uses of Electricity by George Miller Beard, Alphonso David Rockwell (1871)
"labile or stable interrupted currents are best adapted to produce muscular contractions, and cause most potent physical and mechanical effects, while stable ..."

6. Chemical Abstracts by American Chemical Society (1916)
"A labile form of protein and its relation to living protoplasm. ... A very labile form of protein compd. is found in many plant cells, usually in the cell ..."

7. Theoretical and Physical Chemistry by Samuel Lawrence Bigelow (1912)
"labile State. It will be noticed that on this theoretical isotherm we have a part, ... This is sometimes called the labile state. " Complete " Equilibrium. ..."

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