1
- a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet字母：
a capital letter.
大写字母。
1.1
letters
Brit. informal the initials of a degree or other qualification〈英, 非正式〉（代表学位或职位等资格的）首字母缩略词：your personality and style matter far more than letters after your name.
你的人格与作风比名字后面的头衔重要得多。
1.2
- US a school or college initial as a mark of proficiency, especially in sport〈美〉（尤指表示体育运动水平的）校名首字母缩写：
as modifier a letter jacket.印有校名缩写的夹克衫。
2
- a written, typed, or printed communication, especially one sent in an envelope by post or messenger（尤指邮寄或信使送的）信件：
he sent a letter to Mrs Falconer.
他致函福尔克纳夫人。
2.1
letters
a legal or formal document of this kind.法律文书; 正式文书。
3
- the precise terms of a statement or requirement; the strict verbal interpretation确切措辞, 字面意义：
we must be seen to keep the spirit of the law as well as the letter.
必须让人看到我们不仅在文字上也在精神上按法律办事。
4
letters
literature文学：the world of letters
文学界。
4.1
- archaic scholarly knowledge; erudition〈古〉学识, 渊博的学问。
5
- mass noun Printing a style of typeface【印刷】一种铅字字体。
1
- with obj. inscribe letters or writing on镌刻于：
her name was lettered in gold
她的名字是用金字刻的。
1.1
- classify with letters用字母标注：
he numbered and lettered the paragraphs.
他把段落用数字和字母标注。
2
- no obj. US informal be given a school or college initial as a mark of proficiency in sport〈美, 非正式〉被授予校名首字母标志（以示体育运动成绩优秀）。
短语
to the letter
- with adherence to every detail不折不扣地：
the method was followed to the letter.
严格地按照该方法进行了处理。
词源
Middle English: from Old French lettre, from Latin litera, littera 'letter of the alphabet'， (plural) 'epistle， literature， culture'.