booster cable
1
3.4
- noun
- /ˈbuːstər ˈkeɪbəl/
- US
:
cable de arranque
- He used a set of booster cables to start his car after the battery died.
Examples
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Without a booster cable, we couldn't get the stalled car to start.
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He kept a set of booster cables in the trunk in case of emergencies.
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The mechanic attached the booster cable to both car batteries to jump-start the engine.
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I need a booster cable to jump-start my car.
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Do you have any booster cables in your trunk?
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Make sure to connect the red terminal of the booster cable to the positive battery post.
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When your car won't start, having booster cables on hand can be a lifesaver.
Synonyms
6
3.2
A short cable with clamps used to connect a dead car battery to another car's battery to start the engine
Short wire with clips at each end that makes a temporary electrical connection between two points
How Heavy-Duty
- US
1
3.4
- US
6
3.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun combines 'booster' (a device that restores or amplifies power/signals) with 'cable' (a strong wire), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer it is a cable used to boost power (e.g., to start a dead car battery). This is a regular, compositional compound following common cross-linguistic patterns, making the meaning directly derivable from its parts.
Etymology
Booster cable is a thick insulated wire used to connect two car batteries so one can 'boost' the other. The word booster means to give extra power and cable means a heavy wire, so imagine a strong cable between two cars sending power to a dead battery to 'start' the engine, which is why the name tells you its job.