Synonyms for letter


Grammar : Noun
Spell : let-er
Phonetic Transcription : ˈlɛt ər

Top 10 synonyms for letter Other synonyms for the word letter

Définition of letter

Origin :
  • c.1200, "graphic symbol, alphabetic sign, written character," from Old French letre (10c., Modern French lettre) "character, letter; missive, note," in plural, "literature, writing, learning," from Latin littera (also litera) "letter of the alphabet," of uncertain origin, perhaps via Etruscan from Greek diphthera "tablet," with change of d- to l- as in lachrymose. In this sense it replaced Old English bocstæf, literally "book staff" (cf. German Buchstabe "letter, character," from Old High German buohstab, from Proto-Germanic *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 Old English ærendgewrit, literally "errand-writing." The Latin plural also meant "literature, books," and figuratively "learning, liberal education, schooling" (see 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.
  • noun symbol of an alphabet
  • noun written communication
Example sentences :
  • Was his father still alive, or was this letter a communication from the dead?
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • He handed the letter to Robert, who surveyed it with curiosity.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • The feelings with which Robert read and his mother listened to this letter, were varied.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • I have seen the letter; it is in Captain Rushton's handwriting.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Did you notice you could read every letter in the label on that ham?
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • “He always was an unmannerly cub,” said Master Headley, as he read the letter.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • The last ever heard of him was a letter, dated the 3rd of April, 1848.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • But did you ever stop to think what happens when you write a letter?
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • Marked a small tree with the letter F. close to the waterhole.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • He addressed also a letter to Dubosq through the newspapers.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various

Antonyms for letter

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019