The word "postal" comes from the noun "post", meaning a system for delivering letters and parcels. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈpəʊstl/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "o" in the first syllable is pronounced as a diphthong with the opening sound of "oh" and the closing sound of "uh". The "t" at the end of the word is pronounced as a voiceless consonant, with no vocal cord vibration, making it sound like a sharp "t" sound.
Postal is an adjective that refers to anything related to the postal service or mail. It specifically pertains to the process of sending and delivering letters, packages, or other forms of correspondence through the mail system. It can also describe the official buildings, facilities, or services associated with the sending, collection, and delivery of mail.
The term postal can be used to indicate various aspects of the mail service, such as postal rates, postal codes, or postal workers. Postal rates refer to the price or cost associated with sending mail, typically determined by factors like distance and weight. Postal codes, also known as ZIP codes in the United States, are numerical codes used to sort mail and facilitate its efficient delivery to specific geographic areas. Postal workers are individuals employed by the postal service for tasks such as sorting, transporting, and delivering mail.
In a broader sense, the term postal can also have a figurative meaning, referring to anything that relates to communication through writing or mail. For instance, a "postal ballot" indicates voting by mail, while the phrase "going postal" colloquially refers to becoming extremely angry or violent, potentially originating from incidents involving postal employees.
Overall, postal encompasses all aspects of the mail service, reflecting anything related to sending, receiving, or facilitating the delivery of mail.
Realting to posting or mails.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "postal" has its origin in the Latin word "postis", which referred to a messenger or courier. In Ancient Rome, the word "posta" was used to describe a system of mail delivery. This Latin root word eventually made its way into various Romance languages, including French, where it became "poste".
In the 17th century, the English language adopted the term "post", which initially referred to the transportation of mail and the delivery system itself. Over time, the word "postal" emerged as an adjective form related to the delivery or transportation of mail, and it has been used in this context ever since.