mail order

¹

noun

1. an order for goods received or shipped through the mail.

2. the business of selling merchandise through the mail.

mail-order

²

[meyl-awr-der]

adjective

1. pertaining to or obtained by mail order.

   a dozen mail-order rosebushes.

verb (used with object)

1. to order (merchandise) by mail.

   to mail-order fruitcakes for Christmas.

mail order

noun

1. an order for merchandise sent by post

2. 1. a system of buying and selling merchandise through the post

   2. ( as modifier )

      a mail-order firm

Word History and Origins

Origin of mail order¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Origin of mail order²

First recorded in 1865–70