letter

{{11}}letter (n.¹) c.1200, "graphic symbol, alphabetic sign, written character," from O.Fr. letre (10c., Mod.Fr. lettre) "character, letter; missive, note," in plural, "literature, writing, learning," from L. littera (also litera) "letter of the alphabet," of uncertain origin, perhaps via Etruscan from Gk. diphthera "tablet," with change of d- to l- as in LACHRYMOSE (Cf. lachrymose). In this sense it replaced O.E. bocstæf, lit. "book staff" (Cf. Ger. Buchstabe "letter, character," from O.H.G. buohstab, from P.Gmc. *bok-staba-m).

Latin littera also meant "a writing, document, record," and in plural litteræ "a letter, epistle," a sense first attested in English early 13c., replacing O.E. ærendgewrit, lit. "errand-writing." The Latin plural also meant "literature, books," and figuratively "learning, liberal education, schooling" (see LETTERS (Cf. letters)). School letter in sports, attested by 1908, were said to have been first awarded by University of Chicago football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg. Expression to the letter "precisely" is from 1520s (earlier as after the letter). Letter-perfect is from 1845, originally in theater jargon, in reference to an actor knowing the lines exactly. Letter-press, in reference to matter printed from relief surfaces, is from 1840.

{{12}}letter (n.²) "one who lets" in any sense, c.1400, agent noun from LET (Cf. let) (v.).

{{12}}letter (v.) "to write in letters," 1660s, from LETTER (Cf. letter) (n.¹). Earlier it meant "to instruct" (mid-15c.). Related: LETTERED (Cf. Lettered); LETTERING (Cf. lettering).