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Dictionary

let•ter

Pronunciation: (let'ur), [key]
—n.
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.
8. letters, (used with a sing. or pl. v.)
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.
10. to the letter, to the last particular; precisely: His orders were carried out to the letter.

—v.t.
to mark or write with letters; inscribe.

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