mail

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the system whereby messages are transmitted via the post office

   the mail handles billions of items every day

2. 2
   noun

   any particular collection of letters or packages that is delivered

   your mail is on the table

3. 3
   verb

   send via the postal service

   I'll mail you the check tomorrow

4. 4
   noun

   A bag or wallet.

   What, loo, man, see here of dyce a bale; / A brydelynge caste for that is in thy male!

5. 5
   noun

   The (physical) material conveyed by the postal service.

   Meronym: mailpiece

6. 6
   noun

   A stagecoach, train or ship that delivers such post.

   All trains stop at all stations, with the exception of a few "local" stations near Mombasa and an odd flag stop or two usually missed by the mails.

7. 7
   noun

   The postal service or system in general.

   He decided to send his declaration by mail.

8. 8
   noun

   Electronic mail, e-mail: a computer network–based service for sending, storing, and forwarding electronic messages.

   Yahoo Mail has been providing mail service since 1997.

Etymology

From Middle English mal, male from Old English māl (“speech, contract, agreement”) from Old Norse mál (“agreement, speech, lawsuit”). Akin to Old English mǣl (“speech”). Related to Old English mǣlan (mell), maþelian (“to speak out, declare”). From *maþlą (“meeting-place”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂d- (“to encounter, come”), if so, related to meet, and moot.