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letter noun
1 a conventional written or printed mark, usually part of an alphabet, used to represent a speech sound or sounds.
2 a written or printed message normally sent by post in an envelope.
3 (the letter) the strict literal meaning of words, especially in legal documents, or how such words can be interpreted • according to the letter of the law.
4 printing type. verb (lettered, lettering) to write or mark letters on something. to the letter exactly; in every detail • followed the instructions to the letter.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from Latin littera letter of the alphabet.

letter

–noun

1.	a written or printed communication addressed to a person or organization and usually transmitted by mail.

2.	a symbol or character that is conventionally used in writing and printing to represent a speech sound and that is part of an alphabet.

3.	a piece of printing type bearing such a symbol or character.

4.	a particular style of type.

5.	such types collectively.

6.	Often, letters. a formal document granting a right or privilege.

7.	actual terms or wording; literal meaning, as distinct from implied meaning or intent (opposed to spirit ): the letter of the law.

letters, (used with a singular or plural verb

)

a.	literature in general.

b.	the profession of literature.

c.	learning; knowledge, esp. of literature.

9.	an emblem consisting of the initial or monogram of a school, awarded to a student for extracurricular activity, esp. in athletics.

–verb (used with object)

10.	to mark or write with letters; inscribe.

–verb (used without object)

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

—Idiom

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

Origin:
1175–1225; ME, var. of lettre < OF < L littera alphabetic character, in pl., epistle, literature