PILLAR BOXES Meaning and
Definition
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Pillar boxes refer to freestanding structures or street furniture primarily designed to receive and collect mail. They are a form of public postboxes commonly found in many countries, particularly in the United Kingdom. The term "pillar boxes" originates from the characteristic shape of these boxes, which usually resembles a vertical pillar or column.
Typically made of cast iron or steel, pillar boxes serve as secure receptacles for individuals and businesses to deposit outgoing mail for collection by postal services. They are usually located in easily accessible public places, such as street corners, parks, or outside post offices, to ensure convenience for postal service users. Pillar boxes often display the logo or emblem of the respective postal service to indicate their authorized use. In addition to providing a practical means for sending mail, these boxes often hold historical and cultural value in many communities.
Pillar boxes typically feature a narrow, hinged posting aperture on one side, through which mail can be dropped into an internal compartment. This compartment is accessible only to authorized postal employees with keys to retrieve the deposited mail. The boxes may also include a collection time slot or a date of the next scheduled collection to inform users when their mail will be collected. Some pillar boxes may have multiple compartments or slots to separate different types of mail, such as letters, postcards, or parcels.
Common Misspellings for PILLAR BOXES
- oillar boxes
- lillar boxes
- -illar boxes
- 0illar boxes
- pullar boxes
- pjllar boxes
- pkllar boxes
- pollar boxes
- p9llar boxes
- p8llar boxes
- piklar boxes
- piplar boxes
- piolar boxes
- pilkar boxes
- pilpar boxes
- piloar boxes
- pillzr boxes
- pillsr boxes
- pillwr boxes
- pillqr boxes
Etymology of PILLAR BOXES
The term "pillar box" refers to a free-standing postbox or mailbox, typically found on street corners. The etymology of the word can be traced back to its appearance. The word "pillar" originates from the Latin word "pila", meaning a stone column or support. It later evolved into Old French as "pilier". The word "box" simply refers to a container or receptacle. Therefore, the term "pillar box" arose from the combination of these words to describe a mailbox that resembles a column or pillar. This term is commonly used in British English to describe these distinctive red postboxes found throughout the United Kingdom.
