mail (2), male (2)

[O. Fr. male (Fr. malle ), from O. H. Ger. malaha; M. H. Ger. mal he=a leathern wallet; Gael. & Ir. mala a bag, a sack; Icel. male a knapsack.] *1. A bag; a box for holding goods or baggage; a trunk. a portmanteau. ( Eng.) 2. A bag for the conveyance of letters; a mail-bag (qv) 3. The letters, papers, books, ., conveyed by 4. The person or conveyance by which the mail is the post. carried.