mail

mail

mail¹ [māl]

n.

[ME male < OFr < MHG malhe, a traveling bag < OHG malaha, wallet]

1.

a) Now Scot. a bag or piece of baggage

b) Archaic a bag or packet of letters, etc. to be transported by post

2.

a) letters, papers, packages, etc. handled, transported, and delivered by the post office

☆ b) letters, papers, etc. received or sent by a person, company, etc.

3. the system of collection, transportation, and delivery of letters, packages, etc.; postal system: also called the mails

4. the collection or delivery of letters, packages, etc. at a certain time [late for the morning mail]

5. Chiefly Brit. a vehicle for mail

6. E-MAIL

adj.

of mail; esp.,

a) carrying, or used in the handling of, mail

b) designating a person, or boat, train, etc. that transports letters, packages, etc.

vt.

☆ to send by mail, as by putting into a mailbox; post

mailability

n.

mailable

adj.

mail² [māl]

n.

[ME maile < OFr maille, a link, mesh < L macula, a spot, mesh of a net]

1. flexible body armor made of small, overlapping metal rings, loops of chain, or scales

2. the hard protective covering of some animals, as turtles

vt.

to cover or protect with or as with mail

mailed

adj.

mail³ [māl]

n.

[ME male, rent, tribute: see BLACKMAIL]

Chiefly Scot. rent or payment of any kind