letter
- noun
- /ˈlɛtər/
- Formal
- Came in a few weeks ago just to make sure everything was to the letter, which I thought was strange.
- letter of the law
- letter and the spirit
- black-letter law
There's a spirit here and a letter here that is anti slavery.
- There's a spirit here and a letter here that is anti slavery.
Examples
-
And these are roles well within the spirit and letter of the Older Americans Act.
Academic text (1991) -
It was more just like according to the letter of the law.
-
So what does this letter actually mean?
-
It's a letter of intent for your son to sign.
-
Then as of now, I expect normal Crew Protocol to be followed, to the letter.
-
He says to follow it to the letter!
-
Your letter was most intriguing, madam.
-
Gray handed the servant over, thereby obeying the letter of Scott's order.
Academic text (2011) -
"The governor quickly scanned the letter from Sperry, his flight schedule, and the attendance projections.
Fiction book (1992) -
I just want you to understand the letter of the law.
Idioms
Compounds
- Formal
A short letter you send with a job application to introduce yourself and say why you fit the job
- Literature
A letter written to one person but published for everyone to read to make people notice a problem
- Formal
A written note that says a person or company plans to do something before a contract is signed
An award made of cloth for students who play well on a school's main sports team
- Formal
A formal letter from one company or person to another about business matters
- Formal
A bank document that promises to pay a seller if a buyer meets certain conditions
- NSFW
A thin cover worn on the penis during sex to prevent pregnancy and infection
- Literature
A letter from an old Germanic alphabet used long ago in northern Europe
- Specialized
A bank's written promise to pay a seller for goods when required papers arrive
- Formal
A letter the pope sends to all Catholic bishops about Church teaching or practice
- Offensive
A short rude English word of four letters that insults someone
- Archaic
A government paper that lets a private ship owner capture enemy ships and goods during war
- Archaic
Official government permission for a private ship to capture enemy ships and cargo
- Literature
A short religious letter warning Jews in Babylon not to worship idols
- Specialized
A loan not registered with the government and sold only to certain buyers
- Specialized
A stock or bond not registered with the government that cannot be sold in public markets
- Specialized
Shares not registered with the government that cannot be sold to the public
- Archaic
A bank paper that lets a person get money while traveling abroad
How Literal
Surface Forms
Etymology
The phrase letter of the law uses the same Latin littera meaning 'the exact written words', so following the letter of the law means following the exact text, not just the idea.