Obs. [Perh. f. STABLE a. (in sense 2, stationary); but cf. the later STABBLE v., which has some affinity of sense.] passive and refl. To stick fast in the mud. Also fig. Obs.
In quot. 1640 app. associated with STABLE v.2
1569. Campion, Hist. Irel., II. ix. (1633), 113. This is a doughty kinde of accusation, which they urge against mee, wherein they are stabled and myred at my first denyall.
1598. Florio, Dict., Ep. Ded. 3. I many times in many words haue beene so stal’d and stabled.
1627. Drayton, Moon-calf, Batt. Agincourt, etc. 184. They … In the stiffe mud are quickly stabled fast.
1629. Gaule, Holy Madn., 196. Thoul’t either jade, or stable thyselfe.
1640. E. Dacres, trans. Machiavelli’s Prince, 268. The bottom proving rotten and miry, some of the Horse came over and over on their riders, and many stuck so fast in the mud that they were there stabled.
