MAIL (5)

Mail, n. [[OE. male bag, OF. male, F. malle bag, trunk, mail, OHG. malaha, malha, wallet; akin to D. maal, male; cf. Gael. & Ir. mala, Gr. μολγόσ hide, skin.]] 1. 1. A bag; a wallet. Chaucer.
2. 2. The bag or bags with the letters, 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.
There is a mail come in to-day, with letters dated Hague. Tatler. 3. 3. That which comes in the mail; letters, etc., received through the post office.
4. 4. A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be carried. Sir W. Scott.
Mail bag, a bag in which mailed matter is conveyed under public authority. — Mail boat, a boat that carries the mail. — Mail catcher, an iron rod, or other contrivance, attached to a railroad car for catching a mail bag while the train is in motion. — Mail guard, an officer whose duty it is to guard the public mails. — Mail train, a railroad train carrying the mail.