cable
/ˈkeɪbəl/
nounverb
Common
1.n.a telegram sent abroad
2.n.a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
3.n.a very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire
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cable and line share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. cable means “a telegram sent abroad”. line means “a formation of people or things one beside another”. line is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈkeɪbəl/
1.n.a telegram sent abroad
2.n.a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
3.n.a very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire
/ˈlaɪn/
1.n.a formation of people or things one beside another
“the line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed”
2.n.a mark that is long relative to its width
“He drew a line on the chart”
3.n.a formation of people or things one behind another
“the line stretched clear around the corner”
| cable | line | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈkeɪbəl/ | /ˈlaɪn/ |
| Said | KAY-buhl | lahyn |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Letters | 5 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | noun, verb |
| Senses | 8 | 36 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | cablegram, overseas telegram | none recorded |
Full entry for cable · Full entry for line · More comparisons