Dictionary

letter corporal en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (archaic) A corporal with responsibility for carrying or delivering letters for a given regiment etc.
   • I had but just laid down my Bible, when in came the ‘letter corporal,’ saying, ‘Does B— stop here?’ having your letter in his hand. 1867, Private JB, letter, The Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, Fifth series, vol. XIII
   • ‘It will soon go off; pray finish your writing. I met the letter Corporal not far off, he will be here almost immediately. 1861, M Beverley, The Moor Cottage, page 362:
   • The letter-corporal’s blunder. 1910, Mrs De Courcy Laffan, Dreams Made Verity, chapter heading
   • It was then dropped with much solemnity into the letter-box, so as to be ready for the letter-corporal at early post time. 1884, Edward Dyne Fenton, Military Men I Have Met:

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