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 alphabet
2 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 plural
3 plural but sing or plural in constr a : literature, belles lettres b : learning
4 : the strict or outward sense or significance <the letter of the law>
5 a : a single piece of type b : a style of type
6 : the initial of a school awarded to a student for achievement usually in athletics