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.