Mail

(mal.) [Fr. maille, from L. macula.] (Antig.) A coat of steel network or scales, formerly worn for defending the body against warlike weapons. It was of two sorts, chain-and plate-mail; the former consisting of iron rings, each having four others inserted into it; the latter, of a number of small plates of metal, overlapping one another like the scales of a fish, and sewed down to a strong linen or leathern jacket.-(Naut.) On shipboard, a square contrivance, composed of rings interwoven after the manner of network, and used for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage. -(Social Econ.) A bag for the deposit and carriage of letters, newspapers, ., from one place to another; hence, by an extension of application, the person who carries, or the vehicle which conveys, all matter that pa es through a post-office. [s. 570]