voicemail
Meaning
An electronic system for storing spoken messages from telephone callers, which can be listened to later.
A message or messages left on such a system.
Structure
Usage
I missed your call, so please leave a message on my voicemail.
Her voicemail inbox was full, so I couldn't leave a message.
The system guides you through the steps to set up your personal voicemail greeting.
Etymology
The word "voicemail" is a modern compound, formed in the late 20th century from two pre-existing English words. "Voice" traces its lineage to the Latin vox, which carried the core meanings of sound, utterance, and spoken word. "Mail" has a more physical origin, evolving from the Old French term for a bag or traveling pack, later becoming associated with the postal system and the delivery of messages. The compound ingeniously combines these concepts: "voice" specifies the medium of the message, while "mail" metaphorically extends its meaning from physical delivery to electronic storage and retrieval, creating a term that logically describes a system for handling spoken messages.
Analysis
- voice: From Latin vox (voice, sound, word), via Old French voiz. In this compound, it functions as a noun denoting the type of content. - mail: From Old French male (bag, wallet), via Medieval Latin mala. In this compound, it functions as a noun denoting a system for storing and delivering messages.