Dead Letter

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

English: /dɛd ˈlɛtər/ (UK & US)

Definitions

• Noun: A letter that is undeliverable due to incorrect or insufficient address, or for other reasons that prevent its delivery to the intended recipient.
• Noun: A message, idea, or law that has become irrelevant or no longer serves its original purpose.

Usage Examples

• "The post office returned the package as a dead letter due to the incorrect address."
• "The proposed policy became a dead letter after the government shifted its priorities."

Etymology

The term "dead letter" originated from the postal system in the 19th century, referring to undeliverable mail that was returned to the post office. The concept of something being "dead" extended to any idea, law, or policy that had lost its effectiveness or relevance, leading to the broader figurative usage of the term.

Synonyms

• Undeliverable letter
• Unclaimed mail
• Obsolete policy
• Null and void

Antonyms

• Deliverable letter
• Effective policy
• Active law
• Current idea

Translations

Major Global Languages

Indian Languages

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• American English: /dɛd ˈlɛtər/
• British English: /dɛd ˈlɛtər/
• Australian English: /dɛd ˈlɛtər/

Historical Usage

The term "dead letter" was first recorded in the postal services in the 19th century, when mail could not be delivered due to incorrect or missing address details. The idea of something becoming "dead" due to irrelevance also spread to describe laws, policies, and ideas that were no longer effective or active in society.

Cultural Nuances

In certain contexts, a "dead letter" can refer to a piece of communication that is outdated or has no further significance. In political or legal discussions, the term is used metaphorically to describe laws or regulations that have not been enforced for a long time and are essentially ignored. The concept has also been adopted into everyday language to describe anything that is rendered useless or obsolete.

More Information

The term "dead letter" has evolved from a literal postal term to a broader metaphor used in many contexts. It emphasizes the idea that certain items, whether letters or laws, lose their importance over time and are no longer of value. In legal and governmental contexts, dead letters might refer to old laws or directives that are no longer relevant and are effectively ignored. In a personal context, it might describe messages or communications that are discarded due to their inability to provide useful information or achieve any meaningful purpose.