mail 1
/mayl/ , n.
1. letters, packages, etc., that are sent or delivered by means of the postal system: Storms delayed delivery of the mail.
2. a single collection of such letters, packages, etc., as sent or delivered: to open one's mail; to find a bill in the mail; The mail for England was put on the noon plane.
3. Also, mails . the system, usually operated or supervised by the national government, for sending or delivering letters, packages, etc.; postal system: to buy clothes by mail.
4. a train, boat, etc., as a carrier of postal matter.
5. electronic mail; e-mail.
6. copy the mail , CB Slang. to monitor or listen to a CB transmission.
adj.
7. of or pertaining to mail.
v.t.
8. to send by mail; place in a post office or mailbox for transmission.
9. to transmit by electronic mail.
[ 1175-1225; ME male (n.) malle mal ( a ) ha satchel, bag ]
mail 2
— mailless , adj.
/mayl/ , n.
1. flexible armor of interlinked rings.
2. any flexible armor or covering, as one having a protective exterior of scales or small plates.
3. Textiles. an oval piece of metal pierced with a hole through which the warp ends are threaded, serving as an eyelet on a heddle or esp. on the harness cords of a Jacquard loom.
v.t.
4. to clothe or arm with mail.
[ 1250-1300; ME maille one of the rings of which armor was composed macula spot, one of the interstices in a net; cf. MACULA ]
mail 3
/mayl/ , n. Scot.
monetary payment or tribute, esp. rent or tax.
Also, maill .
[ bef. 1150; ME (north) mal ( e ), late OE mal agreement mal agreement, speech, c. OE mael speech ]