letterbox Meaning
Letterbox
Definition:
A letterbox is a receptacle or opening where mail can be deposited for collection, typically found on the exterior of a home or building. It can also refer to a slot in a wall or door used to receive letters and packages.
Usage:
The term is commonly used in the context of postal services. For example, one might say, “Please drop the envelope in the letterbox on your way out.”
Etymology:
The term “letterbox” is derived from the combination of “letter,” which comes from the Old French “lettre” (from Latin “litera,” meaning character or letter) and “box,” which has its roots in Old English “box,” meaning a container made of wood or other materials.
Pronunciation:
/ˈlɛt.ər.bɒks/ (British English)
/ˈlɛt̬.ər.bɑːks/ (American English)
Synonyms:
- Mailbox
- Postbox
- Letter slot
- Drop box
Antonyms:
- Mail retrieval (the act of collecting mail)
- Stopping point (in the sense of not allowing mail to be deposited)
This term is frequently used in residential settings, but it can also refer to public mailing systems in parks or places with high foot traffic. The design and functionality of letterboxes can vary significantly across different cultures and countries.
- I checked the letterbox every day to see if my pen pal had written back.
- The postman left a package in the large letterbox since it wouldn’t fit through the slot.
- We decorated the letterbox for the neighborhood block party to make it stand out.
- After moving into our new house, we quickly realized that the letterbox needed a fresh coat of paint.
- She slipped the invitation into the letterbox, hoping her friends would receive it in time.
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