CABLE


Meaning of CABLE in English

I. ca ‧ ble 1 W3 /ˈkeɪb ə l/ BrE AmE noun

[ Sense 1-3: Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old North French ; Origin: Medieval Latin capulum 'circle of rope for catching animals' , from Latin capere 'to take' ]

[ Sense 4: Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: cablegram ]

1 . [countable] a plastic or rubber tube containing wires that carry telephone messages, electronic signals, television pictures etc:

cables and switches for computers

overhead/underground/undersea cable

overhead power cables

2 . [uncountable and countable] a thick strong metal rope used on ships, to support bridges etc

3 . [uncountable] a system of broadcasting television by using cables, paid for by the person watching it

on cable

I’ll wait for the movie to come out on cable.

cable network/channel/programme

4 . [countable] a ↑ telegram

• • •

COLLOCATIONS

■ types of cable

▪ an electric/electricity cable

Be careful you don't cut through an electric cable.

▪ a power cable (=an electric cable)

a power cable carrying 11,000 volts

▪ a telephone cable

Telephone cables were damaged in the storm.

▪ an overhead cable (=attached to high posts)

Overhead cables can be dangerous for birds.

▪ an underground/undersea cable

The electricity will be transmitted by undersea cables.

■ verbs

▪ lay/run a cable (=put one in position somewhere)

In the 1860s the first cables were laid under the oceans.

▪ a cable connects something to something

How many miles of cables connect North America to Europe?

II. cable 2 BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]

to send someone a ↑ telegram

cable somebody something

I cabled Mary the good news.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.