letters

let·ter  (ltr)

n.

1.

a. A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet.

b. A written symbol or character used in the graphemic representation of a word, such as the h in Thames. See Note at Thames.

2. A written or printed communication directed to a person or organization.

3. A certified document granting rights to its bearer. Often used in the plural.

4. Literal meaning: had to adhere to the letter of the law.

5. letters (used with a sing. verb)

a. Literary culture; belles-lettres.

b. Learning or knowledge, especially of literature.

c. Literature or writing as a profession.

6. Printing

a. A piece of type that prints a single character.

b. A specific style of type.

c. The characters in one style of type.

7. An emblem in the shape of the initial of a school awarded for outstanding performance, especially in varsity athletics.

v. let·tered, let·ter·ing, let·ters

v.tr.

1. To write letters on.

2. To write in letters.

v.intr.

1. To write or form letters.

2. To earn a school letter, as for outstanding athletic achievement: She lettered in three collegiate sports.

Idiom:

to the letter

To the last detail; exactly: followed instructions to the letter.

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[Middle English, from Old French lettre, from Latin littera, perhaps from Etruscan, from Greek diphther, hide, leather, writing surface.]

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letter·er n.

Synonyms: letter, epistle, missive, note
These nouns denote a written communication directed to another: received a letter of complaint; the Epistles of the New Testament; a missive of condolence; a thank-you note.

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letters

Noun, pl

1. literary knowledge or ability: a man of letters

2. literary culture in general

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	letters - the literary culture; "this book shows American letters at its best" culture - the tastes in art and manners that are favored by a social group
	2.	letters - scholarly attainment; "he is a man of letters" encyclopaedism, encyclopedism, eruditeness, erudition, learnedness, learning, scholarship - profound scholarly knowledge

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letters

plural noun learning, education, culture, literature, humanities, scholarship, erudition, belles-lettres