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letter1 definition

let·ter (letər)

noun

  1. a written or printed symbol employed to represent a speech sound or sounds; character in an alphabet: in some languages, as English, some words contain letters that are no longer sounded
  2. a written or printed message to a person or group, usually sent by mail in an envelope
  3. an official document giving certain authorities or privileges: usually used in pl.
    1. literature generally
    2. learning; knowledge, esp. of literature
  4. strict interpretation of the literal meaning, or the literal meaning itself; exact wording
  5. ☆ a cloth representation of the first letter of the name of a school or college, awarded and worn for superior performance in sports, etc.
  6. Printing
    1. a type, impression, or photographic reproduction of a character of the alphabet
    2. a particular style of type

Etymology: ME lettre < OFr < L littera, letter of the alphabet, (in pl.) a letter, epistle

transitive verb

  1. to make hand-printed letters on; mark with letters to letter a poster
  2. to set down in hand-printed letters to letter one's name

intransitive verb

  1. to make hand-printed letters
  2. Informal to earn a school letter as in a sport

Related Forms:

letter Idioms

to the letter

just as written or directed; precisely
letter2 definition

let·ter (letər)

noun

a person who lets, or rents out, property

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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