Lewis & Short

stăbŭlum, i, n. [sto], a standing-place, abode, habitation, dwelling.

  1. 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.
  2. II. A stoppingplace or abode for animals or persons of the lower class (freq. and class.).
    1. 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.
      1. 2. Poet., transf., herds, flocks, droves, etc.: stabuli nutritor Iberi, i. e. Spanish sheep, Mart. 8, 28, 5: mansueta, Grat. Cyn. 154.
    2. B. Of humble houses.
      1. 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. 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. 3. Stabulum = lupanar, a brothel, house of ill-fame: pro cubiculis stabula, Cic. Phil. 2, 28, 69.
      4. 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.