Mail (māl), n. A spot. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]

Mail (māl), 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. A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used especially for defensive armor. Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]

Chain mail, Coat of mail. See under Chain, and Coat.
[1913 Webster]

2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.
[1913 Webster]

3. (Naut.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
[1913 Webster]

4. (Zoöl.) Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.
[1913 Webster]

We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail. Gay.
[1913 Webster]

Mail (māl), 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. molgos hide, skin.] 1. A bag; a wallet. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

There is a mail come in to-day, with letters dated Hague. Tatler.
[1913 Webster]

3. That which comes in the mail; letters, etc., received through the post office.
[1913 Webster]

4. A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be carried. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott.
[1913 Webster]

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. [Eng.] -- Mail train, a railroad train carrying the mail.
[1913 Webster]