Main Entry:

³let

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

let; let·ting

Etymology:

Middle English leten, from Old English lǣtan; akin to Old High German lāzzan to permit, and perhaps to Lithuanian lėnas tranquil

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1: to cause to : make <let me know>2 achiefly British : to offer or grant for rent or lease <let rooms> b: to assign especially after bids <let a contract>3 a: to give opportunity to or fail to prevent <live and let live> <a break in the clouds let us see the summit> <let the opportunity slip> b—used in the imperative to introduce a request or proposal <let us pray> c—used as an auxiliary to express a warning <let him try>4: to free from or as if from confinement <let out a scream> <let blood>5: to permit to enter, pass, or leave <let them through> <let them off with a warning>6: to make an adjustment to <let out the waist>intransitive verb1chiefly British : to become rented or leased2: to become awarded to a contractor

synonyms see hire

— let alone

: to leave undisturbed <let the flowers alone> ; also : to leave to oneself <wanted to be let alone>

— let fly

1: to hurl an object2: to give unrestrained expression to an emotion or utterance <let fly with some sharp rebukes — Janice Castro>

— let go

1: to dismiss from employment <the firm let him go at the end of the month>2: to abandon self-restraint : let fly <spoke in clipped sentences, as if fearful of letting go — David Kline> <there just to party, just to let go — Philippe Vergne>3: to relax or release one's hold —used with of<let go of stress — Kathy McCoy><let go of my arm>4: to fail to take care of : neglect <let himself go and got real fat — Bill Parcells>

— let it all hang out

: to reveal one's true feelings : act without dissimulation

— let one have it

: to subject to vigorous assault

— let one's hair down

: to act without pretense or self-restraint

— let rip

1: to utter or release without restraint <let 'er rip>2: to do or utter something without restraint <let rip at the press>

— let the cat out of the bag

: to give away a secret