1. The conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech; SYN. letter of the alphabet, alphabetic character.
2. A written message addressed to a person or organization; SYN. missive.
3. A strictly literal interpretation (as distinct from the intention)
4. An award earned by participation in a school sport; SYN. varsity letter.
Written or printed message, chiefly a personal communication. Letters are valuable as reflections of social conditions and of literary and political life. Legally, ownership of a letter (as a document) passes to the recipient, but the copyright remains with the writer.

1. To mark letters on or mark with letters.
2. To set down or print with letters.
3. To win an athletic letter, in sports.