Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): ( n.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
(2): ( n.) Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.
(3): ( n.) That which comes in the mail; letters, etc., received through the post office.
(4): ( n.) A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used especially for defensive armor.
(5): ( n.) A spot.
(6): ( n.) A small piece of money; especially, an English silver half-penny of the time of Henry V.
(7): ( v. t.) To deliver into the custody of the postoffice officials, or place in a government letter box, for transmission by mail; to post; as, to mail a letter.
(8): ( n.) Rent; tribute.
(9): ( v. t.) To pinion.
(10): ( n.) A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be carried.
(11): ( n.) The bag or bags with the letters, papers, papers, or other matter contained therein, conveyed under public authority from one post office to another; the whole system of appliances used by government in the conveyance and delivery of mail matter.
(12): ( n.) A bag; a wallet.
(13): ( n.) Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.
(14): ( v. t.) To arm with mail.
King James Dictionary [2]
MAIL, n. L.macula.
1. A coat of steel net-work, formerly worn for defending the body against swords, poniards, &c. The mail was of two sorts, chain and plate mail the former consisting of iron rings, each having four others inserted into it the latter consisting of a number of small lamins of metal, laid over one another like the scales of a fish, and sewed down to a strong linen or leathern jacket. 2. Armor that which defends the body.
We strip the lobster of his scarlet mail.
We read also of shirts of mail, and gloves of mail.
3. In ships, a square machine composed of rings interwoven, like net-work, used for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage. 4. A rent. Also, a spot.
MAIL, n. A bag for the conveyance of letters and papers, particularly letters conveyed from one post office to another, under public authority.
MAIL, To put on a coat of mail or armor to arm defensively.
1. To inclose in a wrapper and direct to a post office. We say, letters were mailed for Philadelphia.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [3]
MAIL. See Armour, 2 ( c ).
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [4]
Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Mail'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/m/mail.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
