letter

1
[ let-er ]
/ ˈlɛt ər /

noun

verb (used with object)

to mark or write with letters; inscribe.

verb (used without object)

to earn a letter in an interscholastic or intercollegiate activity, especially a sport: He lettered in track at Harvard.

Idioms for letter

    to the letter, to the last particular; precisely: His orders were carried out to the letter.

Origin of letter

1
1175–1225; Middle English, variant of lettre < Old French < Latin littera alphabetic character, in plural, epistle, literature

OTHER WORDS FROM letter

let·ter·er, noun let·ter·less, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH letter

letter lighter liter litter

Definition for letters (2 of 2)

letter 2
[ let-er ]
/ ˈlɛt ər /

noun Chiefly British.

a person who lets, especially one who rents out property.

Origin of letter

2
1375–1425; late Middle English letere; see let1, -er1

Example sentences from the Web for letters

British Dictionary definitions for letters (1 of 2)

letters
/ (ˈlɛtəz) /

noun (functioning as plural or singular)

literary knowledge, ability, or learning a man of letters
literary culture in general
an official title, degree, etc, indicated by an abbreviation letters after one's name

British Dictionary definitions for letters (2 of 2)

letter
/ (ˈlɛtə) /

noun

verb

to write or mark letters on (a sign, etc), esp by hand
(tr) to set down or print using letters
See also letters

Derived forms of letter

letterer, noun

Word Origin for letter

C13: from Old French lettre, from Latin littera letter of the alphabet

Idioms and Phrases with letters

letter