Etymology Map
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Cable

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a thick rope or wire; an insulated wire

Where does the word "cable" come from? It comes from Late Latin capulum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
capulum
Late Latin · ancient
"rope, halter"
from 'capere', to take
2
Stage 2 of 3
chable
Old French · medieval
"rope"
Norman form 'cable' kept the hard c
3
Stage 3 of 3
cable
English · 1200s
"strong rope"
telegraph cables date from the 1850s; cable TV from the 1960s
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Read the full story

Cable’s story begins in Late Latin: capulum meant “rope, halter.” From 'capere', to take. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chable. Norman form 'cable' kept the hard c. It reached English by 1200s as cable. Telegraph cables date from the 1850s; cable TV from the 1960s. Today, cable means a thick rope or wire; an insulated wire.