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the letters and packages that are transported by the postal service; to send via the postal service: I will mail the letter for you.; flexible armor made of interlinked metal rings: T he knight wore mail into battle.
Not to be confused with:
male – being of the human or animal sex which begets offspring; the sex that produces gametes (spermatozoa)
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
mail 1
(māl)n.
1.
a. Materials, such as letters and packages, handled in a postal system: The volume of mail increases around the holidays.
b. Postal material for a specific person or organization: Could you pick up my mail at the office?
c. Material processed for distribution from a post office at a specified time: delivered the morning mail around town.
2. A postal system. Used with the, sometimes in the plural: used the mail to send the supplies; advertisements sent through the mails.
3. Chiefly British A vehicle by which mail is transported.
4. Mail or messages sent electronically; email.
v. mailed, mail·ing, mails
v.tr.
To send by a postal system: mailed the letter yesterday.
v.intr.
To send letters and other material by a postal system.
[Middle English male, bag, from Old French, of Germanic origin.]
mail′a·ble adj.
mail 2
(māl)n.
1. Flexible armor composed of small overlapping metal rings, loops of chain, or scales.
2. The protective covering of certain animals, as the shell of a turtle.
tr.v. mailed, mail·ing, mails
To cover or armor with mail.
[Middle English maille, from Old French maile, from Latin macula, blemish, mesh of a net.]
mail 3
(māl)n. Scots
Rent, payment, or tribute.
[Middle English mol, maile, from Old Norse māl, lawsuit.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
n
1. (Communications & Information) Also called (esp Brit): post letters, packages, etc, that are transported and delivered by the post office
2. (Communications & Information) the postal system
3. (Communications & Information) a single collection or delivery of mail
4. (Communications & Information) a train, ship, or aircraft that carries mail
5. (Communications & Information) short for electronic mail
6. (Communications & Information) (modifier) of, involving, or used to convey mail: a mail train.
vb (tr)
7. (Communications & Information) chiefly US and Canadian to send by mail. Usual Brit word: post
8. (Computer Science) to contact (a person) by electronic mail
9. (Computer Science) to send (a message, document, etc) by electronic mail
[C13: from Old French male bag, probably from Old High German malha wallet]
ˈmailable adj
ˌmailaˈbility n
n
1. (Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) a type of flexible armour consisting of riveted metal rings or links
2. (Zoology) the hard protective shell of such animals as the turtle and lobster
vb
(Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) (tr) to clothe or arm with mail
[C14: from Old French maille mesh, from Latin macula spot]
ˈmail-less adj
n
archaic chiefly Scot a monetary payment, esp of rent or taxes
[Old English māl terms, from Old Norse māl agreement]
n
informal Austral a rumour or report, esp a racing tip
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
mail1
(meɪl)n.
1. letters, packages, etc., sent or delivered by the postal service.
2. a single collection or delivery of such postal matter.
3. Also, mails. the system, usu. operated by the government, for sending or delivering such postal matter.
4. a conveyance used as a carrier of mail.
5. e-mail.
adj. 6. of or pertaining to mail.
v.t. 7. to send by mail.
[1175–1225; orig. reference to the bag containing letters; compare earlier mail bag, satchel, Middle English male < Old French malle < Frankish]
mail2
(meɪl)n.
1. flexible armor of metal rings or plates.
2. any protective armor, as the shell of certain animals.
v.t. 3. to clothe or arm with mail.
[1250–1300; Middle English maille one of the rings of which such armor was composed]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
- post road - One with a series of post-houses or stations for post-horses; a road on which mail was carried.
- nixie - Any piece of mail that is unable to be forwarded because it is illegibly or incorrectly addressed.
- post - Latin posita, "placed," gave us Italian posta, "station on a road," and became French poste, "a station for mail"—from the series of stations that fast horsemen traversed to deliver messages, giving us post, as in "mail system."
- blackmail - The "mail" in blackmail is Scottish for "tax, tribute," referring to the tribute demanded by rebel chiefs in return for their protection.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
post
– mail1. 'post' and 'mail' as nouns
The public service by which letters and parcels are collected and delivered is usually called the post in British English and the mail in American English. Mail is also sometimes used in British English, for example in the name Royal Mail.
Winners will be notified by post.
Your reply must have been lost in the mail.
British speakers usually refer to letters and parcels delivered to them as their post. American speakers refer to these letters and parcels as their mail. Mail is also sometimes used in British English, especially in phrases such as junk mail and direct mail.
Has the post arrived yet?
I would never open someone else's mail.
In both British and American English, mail is used to mean 'email'.
I switched on my laptop to check my mail.
Did you get that mail I sent you this morning?
In both British and American English, post is used to refer to a comment or message that someone puts on a website.
I read his latest post on his blog.
2. 'postage'
Don't use 'post' or 'mail' to refer to the amount of money that you pay to send a letter or parcel. In both British and American English, this money is called postage.
Send £1.50 extra for postage and packing.
3. 'post' and 'mail' as verbs
British speakers talk about posting a letter or parcel. Americans usually say that they mail it.
The letter had already been posted.
She mailed the picture to a friend.
In both British and American English, you can say that someone mails something to mean that they send it by email.
I'll mail it to you as an attachment.
He mailed to cancel the meeting.
In both British and American English, you can say that someone posts on or posts something on the internet or on a website, to mean that they put a message, comment, or item there.
She regularly posts on a music blog.
I posted the photo on my Facebook page.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
Past participle: mailed
Gerund: mailing
| Imperative |
|---|
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  mail - the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal servicemessage - a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled; "he sent a three-word message" 1st class, 1st-class mail, first-class mail, first class - mail that includes letters and postcards and packages sealed against inspection express, express mail - mail that is distributed by a rapid and efficient system parcel post - postal service that handles packages bulk mail - mail consisting of large numbers of identical items (circulars or advertisements) sent to individual addresses at less than 1st-class rates and paid for in one lot third class, third-class mail - mail consisting of printed matter qualifying for reduced postal rates airmail - letters and packages that are transported by aircraft air mail - mail that is sent by air transport surface mail - mail that is sent by land or sea registered mail, registered post - mail that is registered by the post office when sent in order to assure safe delivery special delivery - mail that is delivered by a special carrier (for an additional charge) |
| 2. |  mail - the system whereby messages are transmitted via the post office; "the mail handles billions of items every day"; "he works for the United States mail service"; "in England they call mail `the post'"communicating, communication - the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information; "they could not act without official communication from Moscow" snail mail - any mail that is physically delivered by the postal service; "email is much faster than snail mail" RFD, rural free delivery - free government delivery of mail in outlying country areas | |
| 3. |  mail - a conveyance that transports the letters and packages that are conveyed by the postal systemtransport, conveyance - something that serves as a means of transportation | |
| 4. |  mail - any particular collection of letters or packages that is delivered; "your mail is on the table"; "is there any post for me?"; "she was opening her post"aggregation, collection, accumulation, assemblage - several things grouped together or considered as a whole fan mail - mail sent to public figures from their admirers; "he hired someone to answer his fan mail" hate mail - mail that expresses the writer's dislike or hatred (usually in offensive language) mailing - mail sent by a sender at one time; "the candidate sent out three large mailings" | |
| 5. |  mail - (Middle Ages) flexible armor made of interlinked metal ringsbody armor, body armour, cataphract, coat of mail, suit of armor, suit of armour - armor that protects the wearer's whole body brigandine - a medieval coat of chain mail consisting of metal rings sewn onto leather or cloth habergeon - (Middle Ages) a light sleeveless coat of chain mail worn under the hauberk Dark Ages, Middle Ages - the period of history between classical antiquity and the Italian Renaissance | |
| Verb | 1. |  mail - send via the postal service; "I'll mail you the check tomorrow"send out, send - to cause or order to be taken, directed, or transmitted to another place; "He had sent the dispatches downtown to the proper people and had slept" pouch - send by special mail that goes through diplomatic channels |
| 2. | mail - cause to be directed or transmitted to another place; "send me your latest results"; "I'll mail you the paper when it's written" express - send by rapid transport or special messenger service; "She expressed the letter to Florida" airmail - send or transport by airmail; "Letters to Europe from the U.S. are best airmailed" register - send by registered mail; "I'd like to register this letter" express-mail - send by express mail or courier; "Express-mail the documents immediately" transfer - move from one place to another; "transfer the data"; "transmit the news"; "transfer the patient to another hospital" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
noun
1. letters, post, packages, parcels, correspondence She looked through the mail.
2. postal service, post, postal system Your cheque is in the mail.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
poštaposlat poštouposlat
postpostesendee-maile-post
postipostittaameili
poslati poštompošta
levélpostaposta: postára ad
póstleggjapóstur
郵便郵送する
우송하다우편우편물우편으로 보내다
paštaspaštininkaspašto maišassiųsti paštu
korespondencepastssūtīt pa pastu
poslati po poštipošta
postposta
ไปรษณีย์จดหมายส่งจดหมาย
bưu chínhgửi bưu điệngửi qua bưu điệnthư từ
A. N
2. (= letters) → cartas fpl, correspondencia f
is there any mail for me? → ¿hay alguna carta para mí?
is there any mail for me? → ¿hay alguna carta para mí?
3. = e-mail
B. VT
1. (esp US) (= post) → echar al correo; (= send by mail) → enviar por correo
2. = e-mail
C. CPD mail boat N → vapor m correo
mail bomb N (US) (= letter bomb) → carta f bomba; (= parcel bomb) → paquete m bomba
mail car N (US) (Rail) → furgón m postal, vagón m correo
mail carrier N (US) → cartero/a m/f
mail coach N (Hist) → diligencia f, coche m correo (Rail) → furgón m postal, vagón m correo
mail merge N → combinación f de correspondencia
mail order N (= system) → venta f por correo; (= order) → pedido m por correo
see also mail-order mail room N → sala f de correo, departamento m de registro (de entradas y salidas)
mail train N → tren m correo
mail van N (Brit) (Aut) → camioneta f de correos (Rail) → furgón m postal, vagón m correo
mail bomb N (US) (= letter bomb) → carta f bomba; (= parcel bomb) → paquete m bomba
mail car N (US) (Rail) → furgón m postal, vagón m correo
mail carrier N (US) → cartero/a m/f
mail coach N (Hist) → diligencia f, coche m correo (Rail) → furgón m postal, vagón m correo
mail merge N → combinación f de correspondencia
mail order N (= system) → venta f por correo; (= order) → pedido m por correo
see also mail-order mail room N → sala f de correo, departamento m de registro (de entradas y salidas)
mail train N → tren m correo
mail van N (Brit) (Aut) → camioneta f de correos (Rail) → furgón m postal, vagón m correo
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
mailbag
n → Postsack m
mailboat
n → Postdampfer m
mail bomb
n (US) → Briefbombe f
mailbox
n
(US) → Briefkasten m
(Comput) → Mailbox f, → (elektronischer) Briefkasten
mailcar
n (US Rail) → Postwagen m
mail carrier
n (US) = mailman
mailcoach
n (Brit) (Hist) → Postkutsche f; (Rail) → Postwagen m
mail drop
n (US) → Briefeinwurf m (form), → Briefschlitz m
mailer
n (US)
(= advertisement) → Postwurfsendung f
Mailgram®
n (US) auf elektronischem Wege an ein Postamt im Bezirk des Empfängers übermittelte Nachricht, die dann als normale Briefsendung zugestellt wird
mailman
n (US) → Briefträger m, → Postbote m
mail merge
n (Comput) → Mailmerge nt, → Serienbrieferstellung f → (mit automatischer Einfügung von Adressen); mail program → Dateimischprogramm nt
mail-order
adj → Versand-; mail catalogue (Brit) or catalog (US) → Versandhauskatalog m; mail firm, mail house → Versandhaus nt, → Versandgeschäft nt
mailroom
n (esp US) → Poststelle f
mailshot (Brit)
vt → Werbebriefe verschicken an (+acc)
mail train
n → Postzug m
mail van
n (on roads) → Postauto nt; (Brit Rail) → Postwagen m
mailwoman
n (US) → Briefträgerin f, → Postbotin f
n
→ Post® f; to send something by mail → etw mit der Post® versenden or schicken; is there any mail for me? → ist Post für mich da?
(= e-mail) → E-Mail f
vt → aufgeben; (= put in letter box) → einwerfen; (= send by mail) → mit der Post® schicken; (= send by e-mail) → per E-Mail senden, mailen (inf); to mail somebody → jdm eine E-Mail senden
n (Mil) → Kettenpanzer m
vt the mailed fist of imperialism → die gepanzerte Faust des Imperialismus
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
letters, parcels etc by post. His secretary opens his mail.
verb to send by post.
ˈmailbag noun a bag for letters etc. The letters are put into mailbags and sent to London by train.
ˈmailbox noun a postbox.
ˈmailman (-mӕn) noun (American) a postman.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
n. correo, correspondencia;
v.
to ___ a letter → echar una carta al ___.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
- Is there any mail for me?
- Please forward my mail to this address (US)
Please send my mail on to this address (UK) - Where can I mail these cards? (US)
Where can I post these cards? (UK) - How long will it take by regular mail? (US)
How long will it take by normal post? (UK) - How long will it take by certified mail? (US)
How long will it take by registered post? (UK) - How long will it take by priority mail? (US)
How long will it take by priority post? (UK)
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009