/ ˈletə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a message that is written down or printed on paper and usually put in an envelope and sent to sb :
a business / thank-you, etc. letter
a letter of complaint
( BrE )
to post a letter
( NAmE )
to mail a letter
There's a letter for you from your mother.
You will be notified by letter .
HELP NOTE : You will find compounds ending in letter at their place in the alphabet.
2.
a written or printed sign representing a sound used in speech :
'B' is the second letter of the alphabet.
Write your name in capital / block letters .
3.
( NAmE ) a sign in the shape of a letter that is sewn onto clothes to show that a person plays in a school or college sports team
•
IDIOMS
- the letter of the law
- to the letter
■ verb
1.
[ usually passive ] to give a letter to sth as part of a series or list :
[ vn - n ]
the stars lettered Alpha and Beta
[also vn ]
2.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] letter sth (in sth) to print, paint, sew, etc. letters onto sth :
a black banner lettered in white
3.
[ v ] ( NAmE ) to receive a letter made of cloth that you sew onto your clothes for playing in a school or college sports team
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French lettre , from Latin litera , littera letter of the alphabet, (plural) epistle, literature, culture.