letters
letters Lexical Profile
letters Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Characters representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet.
"The child learned to write all twenty-six letters of the English alphabet."
Written, typed, or printed communications, especially those sent in an envelope by mail or messenger.
"She found a bundle of old letters tied with a ribbon in the attic."
Literature, humanities, or scholarly learning in general, especially the profession of authorship.
"He was widely respected in the 19th century as a distinguished man of letters."
American Cloth emblems bearing the initials of a school or college, awarded for excellence in varsity athletics or other student activities.
"Several seniors earned their varsity letters in track and field this spring."
• verb
To inscribe, stamp, or write alphabetic characters or words on a surface (third-person singular simple present).
"The calligrapher carefully letters each diploma by hand before the graduation ceremony."
American To earn a school monogram or varsity emblem for achievement in interscholastic athletics or activities (third-person singular simple present).
"If she letters in swimming this season, she will receive her varsity jacket."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to literature, erudition, or academic culture (as in 'a person of letters'), 'letters' is an uncountable plural-form noun that often takes a singular verb when denoting the field of study.
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'lettre', borrowed from Old French 'letre', from Latin 'littera' (an alphabetic character). The plural Latin form 'litterae' denoted an epistle, written document, or literature and scholarship.