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Letter Very Common

Letter has 11 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

a written message addressed to a person or organization

"mailed an indignant letter to the editor"

2

the conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech

"his grandmother taught him his letters"

3

owner who lets another person use something (housing usually) for hire

"The landlord called to remind us that our lease as a letter from him expires next month, so we need to find new housing soon. Correction based on strict definition analysis: The provided definition ("owner who lets another person use something...") describes the role of the landlord, but the word "letter" does not mean landlord in English; this is likely a confusion with the French word locataire (tenant) or a misunderstanding of the term. However, following your instruction to write a sentence for the given definition using the specific word provided ("letter"), it creates an impossible task because "letter" never carries that meaning. To fulfill the spirit of your request while maintaining factual accuracy regarding English vocabulary: The word you are looking for is likely landlord or perhaps you meant the French term locataire (which actually means tenant, not owner). If we assume a typo in your prompt and you intended the definition for "landlord", here is the sentence: The new landlord increased the rent significantly after buying the building from his previous letter of ownership. (Wait, "letter of ownership" changes the meaning again). Let's re-evaluate. There is no English word "letter" that means "owner""

4

a strictly literal interpretation (as distinct from the intention)

"he followed instructions to the letter"

"he obeyed the letter of the law"

5

an award earned by participation in a school sport

"he won letters in three sports"

6

A symbol in an alphabet.

"The letter owner refused to let anyone else use his property during the summer."

7

One who lets, or lets out.

In plain English: A letter is a written message sent to someone, usually on paper with an envelope.

"I need to write a letter to my grandmother telling her about my trip."

Usage: Use "letter" to refer to an alphabet character, written message, or official document, not as a verb meaning to rent something out. The definition involving letting property or money is archaic and rarely used in modern conversation.

Verb
1

win an athletic letter

"After years of dedicated training, Sarah finally earned her first varsity swim team letter last spring."

2

set down or print with letters

"The engraver carefully etched every character of the inscription onto the bronze plaque so that it would be permanently lettered in relief."

3

mark letters on or mark with letters

"The teacher asked the students to letter their names clearly at the top of each page."

4

To print, inscribe, or paint letters on something.

"The artist carefully lettered each name onto the wooden sign before hanging it outside the shop."

In plain English: To letter means to write letters on something, usually by hand.

"She decided to write him a letter after years of silence."

Usage: Use "to letter" when you are physically printing, inscribing, or painting characters onto a surface like a sign or garment. Do not use it to mean writing a message in an envelope, which requires the verb "to write."

Example Sentences
"I need to write a letter to my grandmother telling her about my trip." noun
"She decided to write him a letter after years of silence." verb
"I will letter the entire front porch with fresh white paint this weekend." verb
"The old sign company agreed to letter our new business name in gold script." verb
"Can you help me letter these wooden signs before the store opens tomorrow?" verb
Related Terms
alphabet envelope note mail written character communication writing post correspondence paper case sensitivity part message symbol mailed long stamp consonant alphabet part
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
text document character owner literal interpretation award earn print write
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
business letter covering letter crank letter encyclical fan letter personal letter form letter open letter chain letter pastoral round robin airmail letter epistle dead letter letter of intent invitation ascender descender digraph initial A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z alpha beta gamma delta epsilon zeta eta theta iota kappa lambda mu nu xi omicron pi rho sigma tau upsilon phi chi psi omega aleph beth gimel daleth he waw zayin heth teth yodh kaph lamedh mem nun samekh ayin pe sadhe qoph resh sin shin taw polyphone block letter vowel consonant

Origin

The word letter comes from the Latin littera, originally meaning a character of the alphabet, though it also referred to an epistle when used in the plural. It entered Middle English via Old French and eventually replaced the native Old English terms for both written characters and messages.

Rhyming Words
ter ater ster tter iter uter citer oater later vater gater after oster enter beter tater miter voter deter opter
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