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Glite Dictionary
jumper cable

jumper cable

6 3.2
A short cable with clamps used to connect a dead car battery to another car's battery to start the engine
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒʌmpər ˈkeɪbəl/
  • US
translation icon : cable de arranque
  • I have jumper cables.
  • a pair of jumper cables
  • jumper cables from a battery
  • jumper cables for your car

It's like somebody just hooked some jumper cables off of a dam Buick just right up to your rib meat and just shook you.

Examples

  • They pushed the Fiat into line with the truck and stretched a pair of jumper cables from battery to battery.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Hey, I've got jumper cables.

    Like Father Like Son (1987)

  • Did somebody hook you up to a jumper cable?

    Big Momma's House (2000)

  • Do you got any jumper cables?

    Grudge Match (2013)

  • I got jumper cables, if you need 'em.

    I Think I Love My Wife (2007)

  • Let's find somebody with jumper cables and let's go home.

    Facing the Giants (2006)

  • Yesterday, a lady at Six Flags came walking around looking for someone with jumper cables.

    Blog text (27)

  • Get these jumper cables attached to the battery terminals.

    Eye of the Beast (2007)

  • They have the jumper cables on the battery, but eventually they have to remove the cables and see if the car can run on its own.

    Blog text (25)

  • Can you grab the jumper cable from the trunk so we can start the car?

Synonyms

booster cable
vsjumper cable
  • US
1 3.4

A thick insulated cable that connects two car batteries to start a car with a dead battery

is a shorter insulated wire with clamps used to transfer power between vehicles
jumper lead
vsjumper cable
  • UK
4.7

Short wire with clips at each end that makes a temporary electrical connection between two points

is mainly used to transfer power from another vehicle to start a car

How Heavy-Duty

booster cable
  • US
1 3.4
jumper cable
  • US
6 3.2

Surface Forms

jumper cable singular
jumper cables plural

Morphology

jumper + cable

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'jumper' (a device that bridges contacts) with 'cable' (a strong wire for power): it denotes a cable used to jumper/start electrical equipment. This noun–noun compositional pattern is straightforward and common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand the term.

Etymology

Jumper cable comes from a simple picture: a short, heavy cable with metal clamps that connects a dead car battery to a good one so the weak battery can get a quick power 'jump'. The word jumper captures the idea of giving that quick boost, so a jumper cable is the tool you use to 'jump-start' a car.