postcard

the word "postcard" is a transparent compound formed in english from the nouns "post" and "card". "post" derives from the latin posta, referring to a station or relay point for messengers, which evolved to signify the system for carrying and delivering mail. "card" originates from the greek khartēs, meaning a sheet of papyrus, which passed through latin and french to denote a piece of stiff paper. the literal combination, "a card for the mail," perfectly captures the object's function as a pictorial or message-bearing card sent through the postal system, a concept that became widespread in the late 19th century.

Structure: post (mail) + card (card) post: from latin posta (a station, post), via italian and french, meaning "mail" or "system for carrying letters". card: from greek khartēs (papyrus, sheet of paper), via latin charta and old french carte, meaning "stiff paper".