MAIL (3)

Mail, n. [[OE. maile, maille, F. maille a ring of mail, mesh, network, a coat of mail, fr. L. macula spot, a mesh of a net. Cf. Macle, Macula, Mascle.]] 1. 1. A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used especially for defensive armor. Chaucer.
Chain mail, Coat of mail. See under Chain, and Coat. 2. 2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.
3. 3. (Naut.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
4. 4. (Zoöl.) Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.
We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail. Gay.