cable — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A long object used to make a physical connection. A strong, large-diameter wire or rope, or something resembling such a rope.

   Usage

   • material

   Synonyms

   wire ropecord

2. A long object used to make a physical connection. An assembly of two or more cable-laid ropes.

   Usage

   • material

3. A long object used to make a physical connection. An assembly of two or more wires, used for electrical power or data circuits; one or more and/or the whole may be insulated.

   Usage

   • material

4. A long object used to make a physical connection. A strong rope or chain used to moor or anchor a ship.

   Usage

   • material

   Examples

   “And now the time of tide has come; the ship casts off her cables; and from the deserted wharf the uncheered ship for Tarshish, all careening, glides to sea.

5. A system for transmitting television or Internet services over a network of coaxial or fibreoptic cables.

   Examples

   I tried to watch the movie last night but my cable was out.

   More examples (1)

   If the takeover is approved, Comcast would control 20 of the top 25 cable markets, […]. Antitrust officials will need to consider Comcast’s status as a monopsony (a buyer with disproportionate power), when it comes to negotiations with programmers, whose channels it pays to carry.

6. A telegram, notably when sent by (submarine) telegraph cable.

   Synonyms

   cablegram

7. A unit of length equal to one tenth of a nautical mile.

   Synonyms

   cable length

8. 100 fathoms, 600 imperial feet, approximately 185 m.

9. The currency pair British Pound against United States Dollar.

10. A moulding, shaft of a column, or any other member of convex, rounded section, made to resemble the spiral twist of a rope.

11. A textural pattern achieved by passing groups of stitches over one another.

Verb

1. To provide (something) with cable(s).

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To fasten (something) (as if) with cable(s).

   Usage

   • Transitive

3. To wrap (wires) to form a cable.

   Usage

   • Transitive

4. To send (a telegram, news, etc.) by cable.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Details of a bottle fight in El Morocco were cabled all over the world.

   More examples (1)

   On 8th November Anthony cabled them, ‘Your great-grandson Randal Lewis Casson arrived to-day. Both well,’ and we sent, ‘Congratulations on becoming great-grandparents.’

5. To communicate by cable.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

6. To ornament (something) with cabling.

   Usage

   • Transitive

7. To create cable stitches.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   You've been cabling, twisting, popcorning and bobbling. See, we told you that they weren't so hard.

Noun

1. a telegram sent abroad

   Synonyms

   cablegramoverseas telegram

   Broader terms

   telegramwire

2. a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power

   Synonyms

   linetransmission line

   Broader terms

   conductor

3. a very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire

   Broader terms

   rope

4. a nautical unit of depth

   Synonyms

   cable lengthcable's length

   Broader terms

   linear unitlinear measure

5. television that is transmitted over cable directly to the receiver

   Synonyms

   cable television

   Broader terms

   televisiontelecastingTVvideo

6. a television system that transmits over cables

   Synonyms

   cable televisioncable systemcable television service

   Broader terms

   televisiontelevision system

Verb

1. send cables, wires, or telegrams

   Synonyms

   telegraphwire

   Broader terms

   telecommunicate

2. fasten with a cable

   Broader terms

   fastenfixsecure

   Examples

   cable trees