POST MARKS Meaning and
Definition
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Postmarks are official impressions or markings made by postal authorities on mail items such as envelopes, postcards, or parcels to indicate the date and location of their acceptance and processing. These marks are typically applied using ink or a rubber stamp and are crucial in determining the time of mailing and the place from where the mail item originated.
Postmarks serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they provide evidence that the item has been properly processed and accepted by the postal service, ensuring that it enters the mailstream and continues its journey to the intended recipient. They also establish a date of mailing, which is important for legal and contractual purposes, especially when deadlines or time-sensitive matters are involved. In addition, postmarks can help in tracking the movement of mail, enabling the postal service to monitor and manage the flow of mail within its system.
Postmarks usually include information such as the date of mailing, the name or identification of the postal office or city where the item was postmarked, and sometimes additional codes or symbols specific to the postal service or country. The clarity and visibility of postmarks can vary depending on the quality of the process and the ink used, which can occasionally pose challenges when trying to read or decipher the markings.
Overall, postmarks function as an important element in postal operations, providing a record of when and where mail items entered the postal system, aiding in their subsequent processing and delivery.
Common Misspellings for POST MARKS
- postmarkes
- postmarke
- oost marks
- lost marks
- -ost marks
- 0ost marks
- pist marks
- pkst marks
- plst marks
- ppst marks
- p0st marks
- p9st marks
- poat marks
- pozt marks
- poxt marks
- podt marks
- poet marks
- powt marks
- posr marks
- posf marks
Etymology of POST MARKS
The term "postmark" is composed of two parts: "post" and "mark".
The word "post" can be traced back to the Latin word "postis", meaning "pole" or "pillar". In ancient Rome, "postis" referred to a stone column or milestone used as a landmark on roads. Over time, "postis" evolved to "posta" in medieval Latin, which meant a station or place where horses were changed for transportation. This later transitioned into the concept of a place where mail could be exchanged or a stage in a postal route.
The word "mark" comes from the Old English word "mearc", which refers to a sign, symbol, or indication. In this context, a "postmark" would be the mark or impression made on a letter, indicating the location and date it was processed for mailing.
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