letter

English

/ˈlɛtə(ɹ)/, /ˈlɛtɚ/, /ˈletə(ɹ)/

noun
Definitions
  • A symbol in an alphabet.
  • A written or printed communication, generally longer and more formal than a note.
  • The literal meaning of something, as distinguished from its intended and remoter meaning (often contrasted with the spirit (spirit)).
  • plural Literature.
  • (law) A division unit of a piece of law marked by a letter of the alphabet.
  • (US) A size of paper, 8½ in × 11 in (215.9 mm × 279.4 mm, US paper sizes rounded to the nearest 5 mm).
  • (Canada) A size of paper, 215 mm × 280 mm.
  • (US)
  • (printing) A single type; type, collectively; a style of type.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English letter derived from Old French letre derived from Latin littera (letter, letter of the alphabet, epistle, in plural) derived from Ancient Greek διφθέρᾱ (tablet, parchment, writing material, leather).

Origin

Ancient Greek

διφθέρᾱ

Gloss

tablet, parchment, writing material, leather

Concept
Semantic Field

Modern world

Ontological Category

Person/Thing

Kanji

革

Emoji
👨‍💻 👩‍💻

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms