noun
e-mail message; item of e-mail
Refers to a single e-mail message. The term is rare in modern Japanese; 電子メール or メール is the usual word. This kanji form is largely replaced by 電子メール.
See also: 電子郵便
古い文書では「電子郵件」が電子メールの意味で使われることがある。
In old documents, 電子郵件 is sometimes used to mean e-mail.
The standard modern term for e-mail. 電子郵件 is a rare, older kanji form that is not used in everyday Japanese.
Compound of 電子 (electronic) and 郵件 (mail item). The exact origin is uncertain; it may be a direct kanji rendering of 'electronic mail' or influenced by Chinese usage. In Japanese, it has been almost entirely replaced by 電子メール.