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Glite Dictionary
subscriber line

subscriber line

1 4.0
A telephone wire that connects a home or building to the local phone exchange
  • noun
  • /səbˈskraɪbər laɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : línea de abonado
  • Just as the introduction of fiber optics and digital subscriber lines (DSL) dramatically opened up the information pipeline, technology has significantly changed the amount of fluid that a prefabricated system can move.
  • digital subscriber line
  • subscriber line service

Examples

  • Many customers prefer using digital subscriber lines for their reliable internet connection.

  • The local telephone company expanded its network to provide more digital subscriber lines to residents.

  • Installing a digital subscriber line can significantly improve your home's internet speed.

Synonyms

line
vssubscriber line
∞ 3.2

A connection that carries phone or internet signals

is the specific link connecting a premises to the local exchange
phone line
vssubscriber line
73 1.6

A wire that carries telephone calls between two places

connects a premises specifically to the local exchange rather than any two places
landline
vssubscriber line
38 3.3

A phone that uses wires to connect, not a mobile network

connects a premises to the local exchange, not just the network type
telephone line
vssubscriber line
13 1.8

A wire that carries voices so people can call each other

connects a premises directly to the local exchange
telephone wire
vssubscriber line
4 2.4

A thin metal line that carries phone calls

is the dedicated connection to the local exchange, not only the physical conductor
telephone circuit
vssubscriber line
  • Specialized
4.0

A connection that carries voice calls between two places

is the link from a premises to the local exchange rather than a network path

How Important

backbone
  • Specialized
17 5.0
trunk line
  • Specialized
6.4
subscriber line
  • Specialized
1 4.0

Surface Forms

subscriber line singular
subscriber lines plural

Morphology

subscriber + line

The compound is partly compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'subscriber' (a person who subscribes) and 'line' (a communication channel) can infer it refers to a communication line for a subscriber. However, the specific telecommunications sense (the technical link to the local exchange) is domain-specific and not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so it is only partially transparent to learners.

Etymology

Subscriber line comes from early telephone days: the word subscriber meant the paying 'customer' and line meant the physical wire running from their home to the local phone office, so the phrase now means the actual phone connection that links a customer's home or building to the phone company.