/ meɪl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ U ]
1.
( BrE also post ) the official system used for sending and delivering letters, packages, etc. :
a mail service / train / van
the Royal Mail
Your cheque is in the mail.
We do our business by mail .
—see also airmail , snail mail , voicemail
2.
( BrE also post ) letters, packages, etc. that are sent and delivered :
There isn't much mail today.
I sat down to open the mail .
Is there a letter from them in the mail ?
hate mail (= letters containing insults and threats)
—see also junk mail , surface mail
3.
messages that are sent or received on a computer :
Check regularly for new mail.
—see also electronic mail , email
4.
used in the title of some newspapers :
the Mail on Sunday
5.
= chain mail :
a coat of mail
➡ note at post
■ verb
1.
mail sth (to sb/sth) | mail (sb) sth ( especially NAmE ) to send sth to sb using the postal system :
[ vn , vnn ]
Don't forget to mail that letter to your mother.
Don't forget to mail your mother that letter.
[ vn ]
The company intends to mail 50 000 households in the area.
➡ note at post
2.
mail sb | mail sth (to sb/sth) | mail (sb) sth ( BrE ) to send a message to sb by email :
[ vn ]
Please mail us at the following email address.
The virus mails itself forward to everyone in your address book.
[also vnn ]
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- mail sth out
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense travelling bag ): from Old French male wallet, of West Germanic origin. The notion “by post” dates from the mid 17th cent.