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MAIL . (I) (Through Fr. maille, from Lat. macula, a spot or hole, the mesh of a net), properly a metal ring or link which, joined closely with other links, formed the fabric of body and other armour in the middle ages, till it was superseded by plate -armour . The word " mail," properly applied to this form of chain-armour, is also used of armour generally, whether plate or chain, and is also transferred to the horny defensive coverings of animals, such as the tortoise, crab, &c. (see ARMS AND ARMOUR). (2) (0. Eng. mal, speech; probably the same as O. Saxon mahal, assembly; in meaning connected with O.Norse male, stipulation), a Scots law term meaning rent, tax. " Mails and duties " are the rents, whether in kind or money, of an estate. In English the word only survives in " blackmail " (q.v.).. (3) (Through 0. Fr. male, mod. malle, a Teutonic word surviving in Dutch maal), properly a bag, especially one used in travelling; this word, which appears in Chaucer, is now applied chiefly to the despatch and delivery of postal matter. In this sense " mail" is properly the bag in which such matter is conveyed, and hence is applied to the contents of the mail, postal matter collectively, and to the train , carts, or other means used in the despatch and delivery of the same. In general usage " mail " is confined to the " foreign " as opposed to the " inland " despatch of letters, &c., and to which the word " post " is chiefly applied; in official language, the word refers to the inland despatch. The word appears also in " mail-coach," a coach used for conveying the mails, and in " mail-cart," a cart similarly employed. This word is also applied to a light low vehicle propelled or drawn by hand, suitable for young See Also: - YOUNG
- YOUNG, A
- YOUNG, ARTHUR (1741-1820)
- YOUNG, BRIGHAM (1801-1877)
- YOUNG, CHARLES MAYNE (1777–1856)
- EDWARD _16831765_.html">YOUNG,
EDWARD (1683–1765) - YOUNG, JAMES (1811-1883)
- YOUNG,
THOMAS See Also: - THOMAS
- THOMAS (c. 1654-1720)
- THOMAS (d. 110o)
- THOMAS, ARTHUR GORING (1850-1892)
- THOMAS, CHARLES LOUIS AMBROISE (1811-1896)
- THOMAS, GEORGE (c. 1756-1802)
- THOMAS, GEORGE HENRY (1816-187o)
- THOMAS, ISAIAH (1749-1831)
- THOMAS, PIERRE (1634-1698)
- THOMAS, SIDNEY GILCHRIST (1850-1885)
- THOMAS, ST
- THOMAS, THEODORE (1835-1905)
- THOMAS, WILLIAM (d. 1554)
(1773-1829) children. The " mail phaeton " is a type of phaeton with high seat for two persons and drawn by a pair of horses.
End of Article: MAIL
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