surface mail
- noun
- /ˈsɜrfɪs meɪl/
:
correo terrestre
- Electronic mail or "e-mail" does not require detailed explanation, since its basic concepts are identical to those of traditional surface mail: there is a sender who sends some written message to one or more addressees with the help of a computer program.
Examples
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If you want to send a package internationally, consider using surface mail for a more economical option.
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Consequently, the Executive Council voted to establish two subscription rates for members/subscribers outside of North America, which will enable them to choose delivery by air or surface mail.
Academic text (1995) -
If you would like to send us something by surface mail, please contact Virginia Postrel at virginia@deepglamour.net for a mailing address.
Blog text (14) -
Many people outside the U.S. prefer surface mail for shipping larger items due to lower costs.
-
We recommend sending documents by surface mail when time is not a critical factor.
Antonyms
How Fast
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound meaning ('mail carried by land or sea, not by air') is compositionally signalled by 'surface' modifying 'mail' and is often learned in contrast with 'air mail', so a learner can plausibly infer the general mode of transport. However, 'surface' in general vocabulary means 'outer layer' and the transport sense is somewhat specialized/conventional, so the connection is not fully obvious without exposure.
Etymology
Surface mail comes from the simple idea of sending mail across the Earth's surface—by ship or by road instead of by plane. When airmail became common, items sent by surface mail were slower but cheaper, so today it means 'mail that is transported by land or sea'.