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

Fox also promised to broadcast all 17 races on linear television in addition to coverage on its Spanish-language cable network, Fox Deportes.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s far less than it was before the election, and devoid of almost any cable TV news.

From Salon

The revolving door of White House administrations and cable news channels has been active in recent years due to the number of opinion programs the outlets now present.

From Los Angeles Times

The hosts and guests on the cable news networks — two in particular — looked sickened as 2016 repeated itself and they tried to convince themselves and the viewers that matters could not possibly be so dire and that somehow Harris was going to find a way to win.

From Salon

At 9 pm I turned off the cable news programs and decided there was no need to watch the American people doom themselves in real time.

From Salon

Related Words

• cord
• link
• rope
• wire