ˈletə n. & v. --n. 1 a a
character representing
one or
more of
the simple or compound sounds used in
speech,
any of the alphabetic symbols. b (in pl.) colloq. the initials of a
degree etc.
after the holder's
name. c US a school or
college initial as a mark of proficiency in games etc. 2 a a
written, typed, or printed
communication, usu.
sent by post or
messenger. b (in pl.) an addressed
legal or
formal document for any of
various purposes. 3 the
precise terms of a
statement, the
strict verbal interpretation (opp.
SPIRIT n. 6) (according to the letter of the law). 4 (in pl.) a
literature. b
acquaintance with books, erudition. c
authorship (the
profession of letters). 5
Printing a types collectively. b a fount of
type. --v.tr. 1 a
inscribe letters
on. b impress a
title etc. on (a book-cover). 2
classify with letters. øletter-bomb a
terrorist explosive device in the
form of a
postal packet. letter-box
esp.
Brit. a box or slot
into which letters are posted or delivered. letter-card a folded card with a gummed
edge for posting as a letter. letter-heading =
LETTERHEAD. letter of
comfort an
assurance about a
debt,
short of a legal
guarantee,
given to a bank by a
third party. letter of
credence see CREDENCE. letter of
credit see CREDIT. letter-perfect Theatr.
knowing one's
part perfectly. letter-quality of the
quality of printing
suitable for a
business letter; producing
print of
this quality. letters
missive see MISSIVE. letters of
administration authority to
administer the
estate of an
intestate. letters of marque see
MARQUE(2). letters
patent see PATENT. letter-writer 1 a
person who writes letters. 2 a
book giving
guidance on
writing letters.
man of letters a
scholar or
author. to the letter with adherence to
every detail. øøletterer n. letterless adj. [ME f. OF lettre f. L litera, littera letter of
alphabet, (in pl.)
epistle, literature]
