letters

1. the literary cultureExamples: "this book shows American letters at its best"Synonyms: letters

2. scholarly attainmentExamples: "he is a man of letters"Synonyms: letters

3. a written message addressed to a person or organizationExamples: "mailed an indignant letter to the editor"Synonyms: letter, missive

4. the conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speechExamples: "his grandmother taught him his letters"Synonyms: alphabetic character, letter, letter of the alphabet

5. owner who lets another person use something (housing usually) for hireSynonyms: letter

6. a strictly literal interpretation (as distinct from the intention)Examples: "he followed instructions to the letter"; "he obeyed the letter of the law"Synonyms: letter