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guy cable

guy cable

6.2
A strong wire that holds a pole, tent, or tower upright
  • noun
  • /ˈɡaɪ ˈkeɪbəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cable de soporte
  • The tall radio tower was held upright by several guy cables anchored to the ground.

Examples

  • Always check each guy cable before pitching your tent to ensure it is secure.

  • A strong wind snapped one guy cable, causing the pole to lean dangerously.

  • The tent was secured with a guy cable.

  • He tightened the guy cables to ensure stability.

  • The engineer secured the tent using several guy cables to ensure it wouldn't collapse in the wind.

  • To stabilize the tower, the workers attached guy cables to the surrounding ground for better support.

  • The crew installed guy cables to keep the flagpole upright during the storm.

Synonyms

cable
vsguy cable
  • Specialized
282 2.4

A thick strong wire that carries electricity or signals

is designed mainly for structural support and stability
guy
vsguy cable
  • Specialized
247 8.2

A strong rope or wire that holds something steady like a tent

supports both light and heavier structures including towers
guy wire
vsguy cable
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A strong cable that holds things like a pole or tent by attaching it to the ground

braces structures more generally rather than only by ground anchors
guy rope
vsguy cable
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A strong rope that holds a tent or pole steady by being tied to the ground

uses stronger cable or wire rather than flexible rope
guyline
vsguy cable
  • Specialized
5.7

A rope that holds a tent or pole steady

is used to brace a wide range of structure sizes

How Strong

guy wire
  • Specialized
1 6.3
guy cable
  • Specialized
6.2
rope
614 1.0
twine
28 3.2
cord
176 1.0

Surface Forms

guy cable singular
guy cables plural

Morphology

guy + cable

The noun combines two directly related constituents: 'guy' (a rope/cable used to steady structures) and 'cable' (a strong wire), so the meaning 'a cable used to brace or steady a structure' is compositionally derivable. Although 'guy' can also mean 'person' in general English, in the construction and engineering sense the compound is transparent to learners who know the rope-related sense of 'guy'.

Etymology

Guy cable may come from the word guy, once used for a rope to steady things, and cable, a strong wire. Picture a heavy wire pulled from a tall pole down to the ground like an arm holding it steady, so a guy cable 'supports' or 'holds up' a tent or tower.