Aerogramme

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A lightweight letter dispatched via air mail that conveys a message while often omitting an envelope to reduce postal costs
2. A communication sent through air mail, typically designed to carry messages without the bulk of an envelope, offering an economical option
3. A lightweight piece of correspondence sent by air that often eliminates the need for an envelope, making it a cost-effective choice for delivering messages

Etymology: The word is a straightforward compound: "aero-", from Greek "aēr" meaning air, joined to "-gramme", from Greek "gramma" meaning something written or drawn. Put together, the parts describe a message written and carried by air, and the form has been in use since the early days of airmail. The sheet itself is the interesting part. An aerogramme is a single piece of lightweight paper that is folded and gummed shut to form its own envelope, so no separate cover is needed. This makes it cheaper to post than a letter in an envelope, and it was once a common way to write home across long distances.