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Glite Dictionary
😵‍💫 Unstable mood ⚗️ Easily changes
lability

lability

9.5
A tendency of a chemical to change or break down quickly
  • noun
  • /ləˈbɪləti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : labilidad
  • Researchers studied the lability of the new drug to determine how quickly it would break down in the body.

Examples

  • Due to its high lability, the chemical must be handled with special precautions to prevent unwanted reactions.

  • The lability of the compound made it unsuitable for long-term storage in the laboratory.

  • The lability of the compound makes it difficult to store.

  • Chemists study the lability of various substances.

  • The lability of the chemical means it can react unexpectedly when exposed to light.

  • The scientists tested the lability of the compound to understand its behavior in different environments.

  • Since the lability of the mixture is high, it is important to use it immediately after preparation.

Synonyms

reactivity
vslability
  • Specialized
1 6.7

How easily a substance changes when it meets other chemicals

includes rapid decomposition as well as readiness to react
reactiveness
vslability
  • Specialized
6.9

How easily a substance changes when it meets other substances

emphasizes quick change and includes breaking down as well as reacting
degradability
vslability
  • Specialized
6.1

How easily something breaks down naturally over time

focuses on rapid chemical change rather than slow natural breakdown

Antonyms

stability
363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

inertness
1 7.5

A state of not moving or not reacting to change

How Reactive

explosiveness
  • Specialized
1 5.1
reactivity
  • Specialized
1 6.7
lability
  • Specialized
9.5
stability
363 3.1
inertness
1 7.5

Surface Forms

lability singular
labilities plural

Morphology

lability = labile (semi-transparent) = labile + ity

Formed regularly from 'labile' + '-ity'; the chemical sense is a direct extension ('prone to change/react') but is technical, so learners unfamiliar with scientific register may not infer the nuance.

Etymology

The word lability in chemistry also comes from the Latin labilis and labere, meaning 'to slip'. Think of a chemical that 'slips' into a new form or breaks down fast, so lability means it reacts or changes easily.