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instability

noun

  1. situation where system parameters cannot stay the same
  2. the quality or state of being unstable, especially : lack of emotional or mental stability
L9567 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ɪnstəˈbɪlɪti/ / /ˌɪnstəˈbɪləti/ / [ˌɪnstəˈbɪləɾi]

noun

Etymology: From Middle French instabilité, from Latin instabilitas. Morphologically in- + stability.

  1. The quality of being unstable.

    The template is [Richard] Nixon’s “madman theory” of diplomatic engagement – shorthand for prompting your adversaries to doubt your sanity and mental instability to the point where they are intimidated into otherwise unlikely concessions.

  2. A state that is not in equilibrium, or in which a small change has a large irreversible effect.