Airmailed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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airmailed
[ɛrˈmeɪld ]
Definition
mail delivery
Airmailing refers to the process of sending mail or packages via air transport. This method is typically faster than traditional ground shipping. Airmail is often used for international deliveries where speed is a priority. The term can also imply that an item is sent through postal services that utilize air freight. Airmailing is especially popular for sending important documents or items that are time-sensitive.
Synonyms
air dispatch, air freight, air shipment.
Examples of usage
- She airmailed the documents to her client overseas.
- I choose to airmail my birthday gift to save time.
- They airmailed the tickets to ensure they arrived on time.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Historical Context
- The concept gained prominence after World War I as commercial airlines began providing mail services.
- Air mail became widely popular by the 1920s, revolutionizing how people communicated over long distances.
Science and Technology
- Sending mail by air relies on complex systems of logistics, scheduling, and routing to ensure prompt delivery.
- Advancements in aviation technology have greatly increased the speed and efficiency of air mail services.
Cultural Impact
- Air mail has shaped international relationships by facilitating timely communication between countries.
- It has influenced popular media, inspiring songs and movies that feature characters sending letters through the skies.
Literature
- Writers have often used air mail as a plot device to connect characters across vast distances quickly.
- Books set in the world of aviation frequently explore the themes of longing and connection through letters and air mail.
Origin of 'airmailed'
Main points about word origin
- The term combines 'air' referring to the atmosphere, and 'mail' derived from the Old French word 'male', meaning a bag.
- First used in the early 20th century, 'airmailed' reflected the innovation of sending mail via airplanes.
The term 'airmail' was first used in the early 20th century, specifically around the time of World War I. The advent of commercial aviation played a pivotal role in the development of airmail services. Countries began to see the potential for faster mail delivery using airplanes, which led to official airmail routes being established in the 1920s. The United States Post Office initiated airmail service in 1918, utilizing airplanes to transport mail over long distances efficiently. Other countries soon followed suit, and by the mid-20th century, airmail became a standard service offered by postal systems worldwide. The term 'airmailed' thus denotes the act of sending mail via these established aerial routes. As aviation technology advanced, airmailing remained a key component in global communication.