1. A character of the alphabet used in writing
   "his grandmother taught him his letters";
   - letter of the alphabet, alphabetic character
    
2. A written message addressed to a person or organization
   "mailed an indignant letter to the editor";
   - missive
    
3. [N. Amer] An award earned by participation in a school sport
   "he won letters in three sports"; "He wore his varsity letter jacket with pride";
   - varsity letter [N. Amer]
    
4. A strictly literal interpretation (as distinct from the intention)
   "he followed instructions to the letter"; "he obeyed the letter of the law"
    
5. [rare] Owner who lets another person use something (housing usually) for hire
   "The letter agreed to repair the faulty plumbing in the rented apartment";
   - lessor

1. Mark letters on or mark with letters
   "She lettered the company name on the side of the van"
    
2. Set down or print with letters
   "The printer lettered the book's title on the spine"
    
3. [N. Amer] Win an athletic letter
   "He lettered in three sports during high school"

Derived forms: lettering, letters, lettered

Type of: accolade, award, character, document, earn, garner, graph, grapheme, graphic symbol, honor [US], honour [Brit, Cdn], impress, laurels, literal interpretation, owner, print, proprietor, text, textual matter, win, write

Part of: ABC, ABCs, ABC's, alphabet, correspondence, mail, spelling

Encyclopedia: Letter