Main Entry:: ¹let·ter
Pronunciation:: \ˈle-tər\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French lettre, from Latin littera letter of the alphabet, litterae, plural, epistle, literature
Date:: 13th century

1: a symbol usually written or printed representing a speech sound and constituting a unit of an alphabet2 a: a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization b: a written communication containing a grant —usually used in plural3plural but sing or plural in constr a: literature , belles lettres b: learning4: the strict or outward sense or significance <the letter of the law>5 a: a single piece of type b: a style of type6: the initial of a school awarded to a student for achievement usually in athletics

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