booster cable
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A pair of thick, insulated electrical cables with clamps at each end, used to connect the dead battery of a vehicle to a live battery in another vehicle to provide the electrical charge needed to start the engine. This process is commonly known as a "jump start."
Usage
The term "booster cable" is used to refer to the physical tool itself. It is a compound noun. The action performed with them is "to jump-start a car" or "to give a car a jump." * Always ensure the booster cables are disconnected in the correct order. * Do you have a set of booster cables in your trunk for emergencies?
Examples
- Noun:
- I used my booster cables to help a stranger whose car wouldn't start.
- The mechanic attached the red booster cable clamp to the positive terminal.
- A good pair of booster cables is an essential piece of safety equipment for any driver.
Advanced Usage
- "A set of booster cables": This is the most common way to refer to the complete tool, which includes two cables (typically one red and one black).
- The process is often described using the phrasal verb "hook up": "Can you help me the booster cables?"
Variants and Related Words
- Jumper cable(s) (n): A completely synonymous term used interchangeably with "booster cable(s)." (e.g., ).
- Jump lead(s) (n): A common term for this item in British English.
- Jump-start (v): The action of starting a vehicle using booster cables. (e.g., to a car).
Synonyms
- Jump leads (UK English)
- Jumper cables (US English)
Related Phrases
- To give someone a jump / a jump start: To use your vehicle and booster cables to start someone else's vehicle.
- My battery was dead, but a kind neighbor gave me a jump.
- To get a jump / a jump start: To receive assistance starting your vehicle.
- I had to get a jump start from the security guard.
Noun
- a jumper that consists of a short piece of wire
- it was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads