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mail1 definition

mail (māl)

noun

    1. Now Scot. a bag or piece of baggage
    2. Archaic a bag or packet of letters, etc. to be transported by post
    1. letters, papers, packages, etc. handled, transported, and delivered by the post office
    2. ☆ 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

Etymology: ME male < OFr < MHG malhe, a traveling bag < OHG malaha, wallet

adjective

of mail; esp.,
  1. carrying, or used in the handling of, mail
  2. designating a person, or boat, train, etc. that transports letters, packages, etc.

transitive verb

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

Related Forms:

mail2 definition

mail (māl)

noun

  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

Etymology: ME maile < OFr maille, a link, mesh < L macula, a spot, mesh of a net

transitive verb

to cover or protect with or as with mail

Related Forms:

mail3 definition

mail (māl)

noun

Chiefly Scot. rent or payment of any kind

Etymology: ME male, rent, tribute: see blackmail

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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