mail

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Letters and parcels sent and delivered through the post.

   The mail arrives at our house around nine every morning.

2. 2
   noun

   The system used for collecting and delivering letters and parcels.

   He decided to send the documents by mail rather than email.

3. 3
   noun

   Electronic messages sent over a computer network; email.

   I check my mail first thing when I get to work.

4. 4
   verb

   To send something through the post.

   I'll mail you the cheque tomorrow.

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.

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