n(1)缆，索((length of) thick heavy strong rope made of steel，nylon，etc，used esp for tying up ships)[U，C]：The tarpaulin was held in place by two～s.防水帆布由两根绳索固定着。～car/railway 缆车/缆车铁道;〖同〗rope，cord;

(2)链(绳)(strong rope or metal chain used for supporting a bridge，etc)[C]：〖同〗chain;

(3)电缆，海底(地下)电缆(set of metal wires put underground or under the sea which carry telegraph or other messages from place to place)[C，U]：lay～s beneath the street在街道下面铺设电缆;Telegrams go to America by～.电报由海底电缆传向美国。a telephone～across the Atlantic横跨大西洋的电话缆线;〖同〗wire;

(4)电报(message sent abroad by cable)[C](infml)(=cablegram)：send/receive/get a～拍/收/收电报;〖同〗cablegram;

v(1)拍(海底)电报(telegraph by cable)[I，I+prep(to)(from)]：I'll write or～(to you).我也许给你写信，也许拍电报。

(2)拍电报告诉(send information to sb by cable)[T+n，T+n+prep，T+that]：He～d us as soon as he arrived.他一到就打电报告诉了我们。～one's office with the news拍电报告诉办公室这个消息;She～d me to come.他打了电报叫我来。

(3)拍电报寄(send(money，messages，etc)by cable)[T+n，T+n+prep，D+n+n，D+n+ prep(to)]：He～d (her) some money/the news.他电汇(给她)一些钱/拍电报告诉(她)那个消息。～the news of sb's death to sb's relation 打电报把某人的死讯告诉其亲属