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    cable

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    cable
    I
    ca‧ble1 W3 /ˈkeɪbəl/ 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
    cable2 verb [intransitive and transitive]
    to send someone a telegram
        cable somebody something
        I cabled Mary the good news.