/ ˈkeɪbl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U , C ] thick strong metal rope used on ships, for supporting bridges, etc.
2.
[ C , U ] a set of wires, covered in plastic or rubber, that carries electricity, telephone signals, etc. :
overhead / underground cables
a 10 000 volt cable
fibre-optic cable
3.
[ U ] = cable television :
We can receive up to 500 cable channels.
4.
[ C ] ( old-fashioned ) a message sent by electrical signals and printed out
■ verb
[ v , vn ] ( old-fashioned ) to send sb a cable noun (4)
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from an Anglo-Norman French variant of Old French chable , from late Latin capulum halter.