n. A state that is not in equilibrium, or in which a small change has a large irreversible effect.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. The quality or condition of being unstable; lack of stability, firmness, or steadiness; liability to give way or to fail; insecurity; precariousness.
n. Lack of determination of fixedness; inconstancy; fickleness; mutability; changeableness
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. The state of being unstable; want of stability or firmness, physical or moral; liability to fall, fail, give way, or suffer change.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. an unstable order
n. unreliability attributable to being unstable
n. the quality or attribute of being unstable and irresolute
n. a lack of balance or state of disequilibrium
Word Usage
"So there lies (excuse the pun) the problem for the West either to intervene in Libya and cause further mayhem for years to come (Iraq, Afghanistan) or let the problem pan out with short term instability and persecution..decisions decisions Obama and co..."