letter-balance

A postal worker places a letter on the letter-balance to check its weight.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device for weighing letters: "letter-balance" refers to a small scale or balance used to determine the weight of letters, typically to calculate the correct postage required for mailing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Before sending the package, she used a letter-balance to check its weight. (A scale used for weighing letters.)
  • The post office provides a letter-balance for customers to weigh their mail. (A device available at a postal service for weighing letters.)

Advanced Usage

• "to check on a letter-balance": to verify the weight of a letter using this device.
  • He checked the invitation on a letter-balance to ensure it didn't exceed the standard weight limit. (He weighed the envelope to confirm it met postal requirements.)

Variants and Related Words

• Balance (n): a device for weighing, often used in a general sense.
  • The chemist used a sensitive balance for measuring small quantities. (A weighing instrument.)
• Letter (n): a written or printed message sent in an envelope.
  • She wrote a long letter to her friend abroad. (A written correspondence.)

Synonyms

• Mail scale: a scale specifically designed for weighing mail items.
• Postage scale: a device used to determine postage cost based on weight.

Related Idioms

• (The term is technical and literal, not idiomatic.)

Phrasal Verbs

• (The word is a compound noun and does not form phrasal verbs.)