letter

letter
noun

a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet
字，字母
a capital letter.
大写字母。
■(letters)(Brit. informal)the initials of a degree or other qualification
(英，非正式)（代表学位或职位等的缩略语字母）头衔
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。
■(US)a school or college initial as a mark of proficiency, especially in sport
(美)（表示运动成就的）校名首字母标识
[as modifier]a letter jacket.
印有校名缩写的夹克衫。
a written, typed, or printed communication, especially one sent in an envelope by post or messenger
（尤指邮寄或人送的）信件
he sent a letter to Mrs Falconer.
他致函福尔克纳夫人。
■(letters)a legal or formal document of this kind
（法律等正规）文书
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。
(letters)literature
文学
the world of letters.
文学界。
■(archaic)scholarly knowledge; erudition
(古)学识，渊博的学问
[mass noun](Printing)a style of typeface
(印刷)一种铅字字体

verb

[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。
■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。
[no obj.](US informal)be given a school or college initial as a mark of proficiency in sport
(美，非正式)授予校名首字母标志（以示运动优秀）

常用词组
to the letter

with adherence to every detail
极其仔细地
the method was followed to the letter.
该方法得到一字不差地执行。

语源

Middle English: from Old French lettre, from Latin litera, littera 'letter of the alphabet', (plural) 'epistle, literature, culture'

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