LETTER

[let.ter] n [ME, fr. OF lettre, fr. L littera letter of the alphabet, litterae, pl., epistle, literature] (13c) 1: a symbol usu. written or printed representing a speech sound and constituting a unit of an alphabet

2. a: a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization b: a written communication containing a grant--usu. used in pl. 3 pl but sing or pl in constr a: literature, belles lettres b: learning

4: the strict or outward sense or significance "the ~ of the law"

5. a: a single piece of type b: a style of type

6: the initial of a school awarded to a student for achievement usu. in athletics

[2]letter vt (1668) 1: to set down in letters: print

2: to mark with letters ~ vi: to win an athletic letter -- let.ter.er n [3]let.ter n (1552): one that rents or leases