I.a standing-place, abode, habitation, dwelling.
I. In gen. (very rare; “perh. only in the foll. passages): stabile stabulum,” Plaut. Aul. 2, 2, 56; cf.: “nusquam stabulum est confidentiae,” id. Most. 2, 1, 3: “DOMESTICORVM ET STABVLI SACRI,” Inscr. Orell. 1134.—
II. A stoppingplace or abode for animals or persons of the lower class (freq. and class.).
A. For animals, a stall, stable, enclosure of any kind (cf. praesepe): “ovium,” Varr. R. R. 2, 2, 19: “pecudum, boum, etc.,” Col. 1, 6, 4; 6, 23, 2; Verg. G. 3, 295; 3, 302; Hor. C. 1, 4, 3 al.; cf.: “pastorum stabula,” Cic. Sest. 5, 12: “avium cohortalium,” Col. 8, 1, 3: “pavonum,” i. e. an aviary, id. 8, 11, 3: “piscium,” i. e. a fishpond, id. 8, 17 7: “apium,” i. e. a beehive, Verg. G. 4, 14; 4, 191; Col. 9, 6, 4: “stabula ferarum,” lairs, haunts, Verg. A. 6, 179; cf. id. ib. 10, 723: “a stabulis tauros avertit,” pasture, id. ib. 8, 207; 8, 213.—
2. Poet., transf., herds, flocks, droves, etc.: “stabuli nutritor Iberi,” i. e. Spanish sheep, Mart. 8, 28, 5: “mansueta,” Grat. Cyn. 154.—
B. Of humble houses.
1. A dwelling like a stable, cottage, hut: “pastorum,” Cic. Sest. 5, 12: “ardua tecta stabuli,” Verg. A. 7, 512; Liv. 1, 4, 7; Just. 1, 4, 11.—
2. Esp., a public-house, pothouse, tavern, hostelry, etc.: “cauponam vel stabulum exercere,” Dig. 4, 9, 1; Petr. 6, 3; 8, 2; 16, 4; 79, 5; 97, 1; Plin. Ep. 6, 19, 4; Mart. 6, 94, 3; App. M. 1, p. 104, 9; Spart. Sev. 1 al.—Such pothouses were also the usual abode of prostitutes, Plaut. Poen. 1, 2, 56.—Hence,
3. Stabulum = lupanar, a brothel, house of ill - fame: “pro cubiculis stabula,” Cic. Phil. 2, 28, 69.—
4. As a term of abuse: “stabulum flagitii,” Plaut. Truc. 2, 7, 31: “nequitiae,” id. Cas. 2, 1, 13: “servitritium,” id. Pers. 3, 3, 13.—On account of his intercourse with king Nicomedes, the nickname of stabulum Nicomedis was given to Cæsar, acc. to Suet. Caes. 49.
