letter
n. countablen. a written message you send to someone in an envelope. It also means a single sign in the alphabet, like 'A' or 'B'.
n. a written or printed communication addressed to a person or organisation; alternatively, a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech. The sense related to legal compliance ('the letter of the law') is typically singular.
I wrote a long letter to my grandmother yesterday.
The company sent a formal letter to all employees explaining the new health and safety policies.
While the spirit of the agreement was cooperative, the legal team insisted on following the letter of the contract to avoid any potential liability during the audit.
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 Middle English letere, equivalent to let + -er.
When referring to strict adherence to rules, it is often used in the phrase 'the letter of' followed by a noun like 'law' or 'rule'.
- 01
poison-pen letter
A missive which is malicious, insulting, and/or defamatory toward a person, organization, or point of view, especially one which is unsigned.
- 02
red letter day
A particularly significant day; a day of personal or sectarian celebration.
- 03
to the letter
Literally, exactly, following the rules as written.