let-out
[ adjective let-out; noun let-out ]
/ adjective ˈlɛtˈaʊt; noun ˈlɛtˌaʊt /
adjective
(of fur) processed by cutting parallel diagonal slashes into the pelt and sewing the slashed edges together to lengthen the pelt and to improve the appearance of the fur.
noun
Chiefly British.
a means of escape; loophole.
Origin of let-out
First recorded in 1830–40; adj., noun use of verb phrase
let out
Words nearby let-out
Definition for let out (2 of 2)
Origin of let
1
before 900; Middle English
leten, Old English
lǣtan; cognate with Dutch
laten, German
lassen, Old Norse
lāta, Gothic
lētan; akin to Greek
lēdeîn to be weary, Latin
lassus tired. See
late
SYNONYMS FOR let
synonym study for let
1. See
allow.
usage note for let
Let us is used in all varieties of speech and writing to introduce a suggestion or a request:
Let us consider all the facts before deciding. The contracted form
let's occurs mostly in informal speech and writing:
Let's go. Let's not think about that right now. Perhaps because
let's has come to be felt as a word in its own right rather than as the contraction of
let us, it is often followed in informal speech and writing by redundant or appositional pronouns:
Let's us plan a picnic. Let's you and I (or
me )
get together tomorrow. Both
Let's you and me and
Let's you and I occur in the relaxed speech of educated speakers. The former conforms to the traditional rules of grammar; the latter, nonetheless, occurs more frequently. See also
leave1.
British Dictionary definitions for let out (1 of 3)
let out
verb (adverb, mainly tr)
noun let-out
a chance to escape
British Dictionary definitions for let out (2 of 3)
let
1
/ (lɛt) /
verb lets, letting or let (tr; usually takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive)
noun
British
the act of letting property or accommodation
the majority of new lets are covered by the rent regulations
Word Origin for let
Old English
lǣtan to permit; related to Gothic
lētan, German
lassen
British Dictionary definitions for let out (3 of 3)
let
2
/ (lɛt) /
noun
an impediment or obstruction (esp in the phrase without let or hindrance)
tennis squash
- a minor infringement or obstruction of the ball, requiring a point to be replayed
- the point so replayed
verb lets, letting, letted or let
(tr) archaic
to hinder; impede
Word Origin for let
Old English
lettan to hinder, from
læt
late; related to Old Norse
letja
Idioms and Phrases with let out (1 of 2)
let out
Allow to get out; also see get out of.
Make known, reveal, as in I thought it was a secret—who let it out? [First half of 1800s] Also see let the cat out of the bag.
Come to a close, end, as in What time does school let out? [Late 1800s]
Increase the size of a garment, as in May's coat needs to be let out across the shoulders. This usage refers to opening some of the seams. [Late 1700s]
Idioms and Phrases with let out (2 of 2)
let