Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small, concealed explosive device placed inside an envelope or a parcel, designed to detonate when the mail is opened.

2. Verb:

   • To send a letter bomb to someone; to attack using a letter bomb.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The police intercepted a dangerous letter bomb addressed to the CEO.
  • Security was heightened after a series of letter bombs were discovered at the postal sorting office.

• Verb:

  • The extremist group threatened to letter bomb government offices.
  • Several journalists were letter bombed during that period of political unrest.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in security, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism contexts to describe a specific method of attack.
• It can function as both the weapon itself (noun) and the act of sending it (verb).

Variants and Related Words

• Mail bomb: A broader term for an explosive device sent through postal services, which can include packages larger than letters.
• Parcel bomb: Similar to a mail bomb, specifically implying a packaged item.

Synonyms

• Noun: Explosive letter, mail explosive.
• Verb: To mail-bomb, to send a bomb through the post.

Related Phrases

• Phrasal Verb: While not a standard phrasal verb, the verbal form "to letter bomb" is used.
  • The cult letter bombed its critics to intimidate them.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms are directly derived from "letter bomb." It is a technical term describing a specific criminal or terrorist act.

Noun

1. a thin explosive device inside an envelope or package and detonated when opened

Verb

1. send an explosive to
   • The Unabomber letter bombed a number of individuals and institutions