cable

¹

[ key-buhl ]

noun

1. a heavy, strong rope.
2. a very strong rope made of strands of metal wire, as used to support cable cars or suspension bridges.
3. a cord of metal wire used to operate or pull a mechanism.
4. Nautical.
   1. a thick hawser made of rope, strands of metal wire, or chain.
   2. cable's length.
5. Electricity. an insulated electrical conductor, often in strands, or a combination of electrical conductors insulated from one another.
6. cablegram.
7. cable television.
8. cable-stitch.
9. Architecture. one of a number of reedings set into the flutes of a column or pilaster.

verb (used with object)

, ca·bled, ca·bling.

1. to send (a message) by cable.
2. to send a cablegram to.
3. to fasten with a cable.
4. to furnish with a cable.
5. to join (cities, parts of a country, etc.) by means of a cable television network:

   The state will be completely cabled in a few years.

verb (used without object)

, ca·bled, ca·bling.

1. to send a message by cable.
2. to cable-stitch.

Cable

²

[ key-buhl ]

noun

1. George Washington, 1844–1925, U.S. novelist and short-story writer.

cable

/ ˈkeɪbəl /

noun

1. a strong thick rope, usually of twisted hemp or steel wire
2. nautical an anchor chain or rope
3. 1. a unit of distance in navigation, equal to one tenth of a sea mile (about 600 feet)
   2. Also calledcable lengthcable's length a unit of length in nautical use that has various values, including 100 fathoms (600 feet)
4. a wire or bundle of wires that conducts electricity See also coaxial cable

   a submarine cable

5. Also calledoverseas telegraminternational telegramcablegram a telegram sent abroad by submarine cable, radio, communications satellite, or by telephone line
6. See cable stitch
7. short for cable television

verb

1. to send (a message) to (someone) by cable
2. tr to fasten or provide with a cable or cables
3. tr to supply (a place) with or link (a place) to cable television

Other Words From

• cable·like adjective
• re·cable verb recabled recabling
• un·cabled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cable¹

1175–1225; Middle English, probably < Old North French *cable < Late Latin capulum lasso; compare Latin capulāre to rope, halter (cattle), akin to capere to take

Word History and Origins

Origin of cable¹

C13: from Old Norman French, from Late Latin capulum halter

Example Sentences

The lone cable outlet set to remain within NBCUniversal is Bravo, which has a bold brand, cultural cachet and the “Real Housewives” franchises.

From Los Angeles Times

Comcast is creating a new company, comprising nearly all of NBCUniversal’s current cable networks with the exception of Bravo, home of the ‘Real Housewives.’

From Los Angeles Times

Gaetz, 42, is a lawyer who made a name for himself on Capitol Hill and cable news as a right-wing rabble rouser.

From BBC

Croeser said current ways of designing or retrofitting streets did not support healthy canopy growth as planning prioritised infrastructure such as cabling and pipelines over tree growth.

From Science Daily

At the time, its cable networks were seen as some of its most attractive businesses.

From BBC

Related Words

• cord
• link
• rope
• wire