## Meanings
1. Letters and parcels sent and delivered through the post.
2. The system used for collecting and delivering letters and parcels.
3. Electronic messages sent over a computer network; email.
4. To send something through the post.

## Examples
- The mail arrives at our house around nine every morning.
- He decided to send the documents by mail rather than email.
- I check my mail first thing when I get to work.
- I'll mail you the cheque tomorrow.

## Derived Forms
- admail
- aeromail
- airmail
- barfmail
- blackmail
- bugmail
- chain-mail
- cybermail
- e-mail
- echomail
- email
- facemail

## Related Forms
- mailed

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: mal
- Root: māl
- Root: mál
- Root: *meh₂d-

## 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.

## AI Etymology
Mail comes 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”). In present-day English its meanings include letters and parcels sent and delivered through the post, the system used for collecting and delivering letters and parcels, and electronic messages sent over a computer network; email. The historical chain runs through mal (Middle English), māl (Old English), mál (Old Norse), and *meh₂d- (Proto-Indo-European). Related and derived forms include mailed, admail, aeromail, and airmail.

## Topics
- Technology & Computing

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