Stā′tion-a-ry1, a.
a. [Lat. stationarius, Fr. stationnaire, It. stazionario, Sp. estacionario.] 1. Not moving, progressive, or retrogressive; not appearing to move; stable; fixed. Charles Wesley, who is a more stationary man, does not believe the story. Southey.
- Not improving; not growing wiser, greater, or better; not becoming greater or more excellent.
- Appearing to be at rest, because moving in the line of vision; as, a stationary planet. Dana.
Stationary diseases (Med.), certain diseases which depend upon a particular state of the atmosphere, and which prevail in a district for a certain number of years, and then give way to others. Dunglison.—Stationary engine, on a railway, a steam-engine in a fixed position, which draws a load by a rope or other means of communication extended along the road.