letter 1
— letterer , n. — letterless , adj.
/let"euhr/ , n.
1. a written or printed communication addressed to a person or organization and usually transmitted by mail.
2. a symbol or character that is conventionally used in writing and printing to represent a speech sound and that is part of an alphabet.
3. a piece of printing type bearing such a symbol or character.
4. a particular style of type.
5. such types collectively.
6. Often, letters . a formal document granting a right or privilege.
7. actual terms or wording; literal meaning, as distinct from implied meaning or intent (opposed to spirit ): the letter of the law.
8. letters , ( used with a sing. or pl. v. )
a. literature in general.
b. the profession of literature.
c. learning; knowledge, esp. of literature.
9. an emblem consisting of the initial or monogram of a school, awarded to a student for extracurricular activity, esp. in athletics.
10. to the letter , to the last particular; precisely: His orders were carried out to the letter.
v.t.
11. to mark or write with letters; inscribe.
v.i.
12. to earn a letter in an interscholastic or intercollegiate activity, esp. a sport: He lettered in track at Harvard.
[ 1175-1225; ME, var. of lettre littera alphabetic character, in pl., epistle, literature ]
Syn. 8. See literature .
letter 2
/let"euhr/ , n. Chiefly Brit.
a person who lets, esp. one who rents out property.
[ 1375-1425; late ME letere; see LET 1 , -ER 1 ]