| 释义 |
‖ tappal, -aul Anglo-Ind.|təˈpɔːl|
[Of obscure and uncertain origin: see Yule.]
The transmission of letters, etc. by relays of runners; the organization by which this is carried on; the postal matter or conveyance, the mail; one who carries the post; an arrival or dispatch of letters.
1791Jas. Anderson Corr. 64 A letter by the Tappal or Dawk. 1799Wellington in Gurw. Suppl. Desp. (1858) I. 303, I have sent orders to the postmaster at Seringapatam to run a tappall from thence to Nuggur. 1809Visct. Valentia Voy. I. vii. 385, I might go by tappaul the whole way to Seringapatam. 1889Blackw. Mag. Feb. 199 Farewell to telegrams and tappals for a fortnight.
Hence ‖ tappal-wallah [cf. competition-wallah], a runner who carries the post in S. India.
1865Daily Tel. 12 Dec. 7/2 The tappal-wallah does not turn up with the letters at the proper time. |