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Added 9 October 2026

letter

/ˈlɛtə/ noun

In Latin: littera Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about letter at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A symbol in an alphabet.
There are twenty-six letters in the English alphabet.
A written or printed communication, usually defined as longer and more formal than a note. (Sometimes specifically one that is on paper.)
I wrote a letter to my sister about my life.
The literal meaning of something, as distinguished from its intended and remoter meaning (the spirit).

verb

To print, inscribe, or paint letters on something.
To earn a varsity letter (award).

noun

One who lets, or lets out.
the letter of a room
One who retards or hinders.

noun

Alternative form of litter.

Origin

From Middle English letter, lettre, from Old French letre, from Latin littera (“letter of the alphabet"; in plural, "epistle”). Displaced Old English bōcstæf (literally “book staff”) in sense 1 and ǣrendġewrit (literally “message writing”) in sense 2.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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