noun
- system for transporting documents and other small packages
- metal fabric consisting of iron or steel rings, riveted or pressed together, typically used in armor.
verb
- send through a postal system
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /meɪl/ / /mel/ / /mɛj(ɪ)l/
noun
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.
- An old French coin worth half a denier.
- A monetary payment or tribute.
- Rent.
- Tax.
verb
Etymology: From Middle English mayle (“mail armor”), borrowed from Old French maille (“loop, stitch”), from Vulgar Latin *macla, from Latin macula (“blemish, mesh”), probably from Proto-Indo-European *smh₁-tleh₂, from *smeh₁- (“smear, rub”). Compare maillot.
- To arm with mail.
- To pinion.