noun
- 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
- a written or printed message to a person or group, usually sent by mail in an envelope
- an official document giving certain authorities or privileges: usually used in pl.
- literature generally
- learning; knowledge, esp. of literature
- strict interpretation of the literal meaning, or the literal meaning itself; exact wording
- ☆ a cloth representation of the first letter of the name of a school or college, awarded and worn for superior performance in sports, etc.
- Printing
- a type, impression, or photographic reproduction of a character of the alphabet
- a particular style of type
Origin:
ME lettre < OFr < L littera, letter of the alphabet, (in pl.) a letter, epistle