First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1letter
noun let·ter \ˈle-tər\
Definition of LETTER
1
: a symbol usually 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 —usually used in plural
3
4
: the strict or outward sense or significance <the letter 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 usually in athletics
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Origin of LETTER
Middle English, from Anglo-French lettre, from Latin littera letter of the alphabet, litterae, plural, epistle, literature
2letter
verb
: to write or print letters on (something) : to mark (something) with letters
: to earn a school letter for playing on a sports team
Full Definition of LETTER
transitive verb
2
: to mark with letters
intransitive verb
: to win an athletic letter
— let·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun
See letter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LETTER
1668
3letter
noun let·ter \ˈle-tər\
Definition of LETTER
: one that rents or leases
First Known Use of LETTER
1552
LETTER Defined for Kids
1letter
noun let·ter \ˈle-tər\
Definition of LETTER for Kids
1
: one of the marks that are symbols for speech sounds in writing or print and that make up the alphabet
2
: a written or printed communication (as one sent through the mail)
3
letters plural : literature 2
4
: the strict or outward meaning <the letter of the law>
5
: the initial of a school awarded to a student usually for athletic achievement
2letter
verb
let·teredlet·ter·ing
Definition of LETTER for Kids
: to mark with symbols for speech sounds <… I carefully lettered H-E-L-P on the sand … — Theodore Taylor, The Cay>
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