mail Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
  2. noun the system whereby messages are transmitted via the post office
    post; mail service; postal service.
    • the mail handles billions of items every day
    • he works for the United States mail service
    • in England they call mail `the post'
  3. noun a conveyance that transports the letters and packages that are conveyed by the postal system
  4. noun any particular collection of letters or packages that is delivered
    post.
    • your mail is on the table
    • is there any post for me?
    • she was opening her post
  5. noun (Middle Ages) flexible armor made of interlinked metal rings
    chain mail; ring armour; chain armor; ring mail; chain armour; ring armor.
  6. verb send via the postal service
    get off.
    • I'll mail you the check tomorrow
  7. verb cause to be directed or transmitted to another place
    post; send.
    • send me your latest results
    • I'll mail you the paper when it's written

WordNet

Mail noun
Definitions
  1. A spot. Obs.
Mail noun
Etymology
F. maille, OF. also maaille, LL. medalia. See Medal.
Definitions
  1. A small piece of money; especially, an English silver half-penny of the time of Henry V. Obs. Written also maile, and maille.
  2. Rent; tribute. Obs., except in certain compounds and phrases, as blackmail, mails and duties, etc.
Mail noun
Etymology
OE. maile, maille, F. maille a ring of mail, mesh, network, a coat of mail, fr. L. macula spot, a mesh of a net. Cf. Macle, Macula, Mascle.
Definitions
  1. A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used especially for defensive armor. Chaucer.
  2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.
  3. (Naut.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
  4. (Zoöl.) Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.
    We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail. Gay.
Mail transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To arm with mail.
  2. To pinion. Obs.
Mail noun
Etymology
OE. male bag, OF. male, F. malle bag, trunk, mail, OHG. malaha, malha, wallet; akin to D. maal, male; cf. Gael. & Ir. mala, Gr. hide, skin.
Definitions
  1. A bag; a wallet. Obs. Chaucer.
  2. The bag or bags with the letters, papers, papers, or other matter contained therein, conveyed under public authority from one post office to another; the whole system of appliances used by government in the conveyance and delivery of mail matter.
    There is a mail come in to-day, with letters dated Hague. Tatler.
  3. That which comes in the mail; letters, etc., received through the post office.
  4. A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be carried. Obs. Sir W. Scott.
Mail transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Mailed ; present participle & verbal noun Mailing
Definitions
  1. To deliver into the custody of the postoffice officials, or place in a government letter box, for transmission by mail; to post; as, to mail a letter. U. S. ✍ In the United States to mail and to post are both in common use; as, to mail or post a letter. In England post is the commoner usage.

Webster 1913