Reading Theme:
Letter Meaning, Uses, and Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：written message (letter)
letter
/ˈlɛtər/
n.
A message written on paper, usually put in an envelope and sent to someone through the post.
written message
➕
/ˈrɪtən ˈmesɪdʒ/
n.
A piece of written communication typically sent by post, conveying personal or formal information.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'littera' (alphabet character), also used for written documents.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: 'let her' send a message; a letter lets her write her thoughts on paper.
📖 Example
My grandfather still prefers to send a letter for important news because he says it feels more personal than an email.
My grandfather still prefers to use a paper letter for important news because he feels it is more personal than an email.
🔗 Collocations
write a letter – Compose a written message
send a letter – Dispatch a written message by post
receive a letter – Get a written message delivered
🔄 Synonyms
note (n.) – A brief informal written message
message (n.) – A verbal or written communication
correspondence (n.) – Letters sent or received collectively
🌱 Derivatives
letterbox (n.) – A box for receiving mail
letterhead (n.) – Printed name and address at the top of a paper
lettering (n.) – The process of inscribing letters
📖 Cultural Story
Letter comes from Latin 'littera' meaning 'alphabet character'. In Ancient Rome, 'litterae' meant written records. The word passed through French and Middle English to mean both an alphabet symbol and a written message.
Meaning 2：alphabetic symbol (letter)
letter
/ˈlɛtər/
n.
A single symbol, like A, B, or C, that is used as part of a writing system to make words.
alphabetic symbol
➕
/ˌælfəˈbɛtɪk ˈsɪmbəl/
n.
A single character in an alphabet, representing a sound in the written form of a language.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
When learning a new language, it's important to first master the sounds of each letter in its alphabet.
When starting to learn a new language, it is essential to first learn the sound of each character in its alphabet.
🔗 Collocations
capital letter – Uppercase form of an alphabetic symbol used to start sentences or proper nouns
lowercase letter – Small form of an alphabetic symbol used in most writing
block letter – Clear, printed form of a letter often used in handwriting
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
lettering (n.) – The style or process of writing letters
lettered (adj.) – Educated or literate
letter-perfect (adj.) – Correct in every detail
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