Mail-order


[meyl-awr-der] /ˈmeɪlˌɔr dər/

adjective
1.
pertaining to or obtained by mail order:
a dozen mail-order rosebushes.
verb (used with object)
2.
to order (merchandise) by mail:
to mail-order fruitcakes for Christmas.
noun
1.
an order for goods received or shipped through the mail.
2.
the business of selling merchandise through the mail.
noun
1.
an order for merchandise sent by post
2.

adj.

1875, from mail (n.1) + order. Before television and the Internet, the bane of retailers and shop-owners.

The origin, foundation and principle of mail order trading is universally recognized as wrong. It was conceived in iniquity and brought forth in despair as the world’s greatest destructive medium. Mail Order Trading was born in the brain of knaves and thieves who fired their building for insurance profits, then sold the salvaged and damaged stock to the unsuspecting sons of man in distant territory. [Thomas J. Sullivan, “Merchants and Manufacturers on Trial,” Chicago, 1914]

Read Also:

  • Mail-order house

    noun 1. a retail firm that conducts its business by receiving orders and shipping its merchandise through the mail and that supplies its customers with catalogs, circulars, etc.

  • Mail-out

    [meyl-out] /ˈmeɪlˌaʊt/ noun 1. an act or instance of mailing out a quantity of letters, circulars, or the like; mailing. 2. a form letter, brochure, etc., mailed out.

  • Mailouts

    [meyl-out] /ˈmeɪlˌaʊt/ noun 1. an act or instance of mailing out a quantity of letters, circulars, or the like; mailing. 2. a form letter, brochure, etc., mailed out.

  • Mail-outs

    [meyl-out] /ˈmeɪlˌaʊt/ noun 1. an act or instance of mailing out a quantity of letters, circulars, or the like; mailing. 2. a form letter, brochure, etc., mailed out.

  • Mail path

    source route


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