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Where does the word "letter" come from? It comes from Latin littera, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "letter" come from? It comes from Latin littera, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Letter’s story begins in Latin: littera meant “letter of the alphabet.” The plural 'litterae' meant an epistle. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as letre. Both the alphabet sign and the message. It reached English by 1200s as letter. 'to the letter' dates from the 1500s. Today, letter means a written message; an alphabet sign.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient littera "letter of the alphabet", the plural 'litterae' meant an epistle.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval letre "letter", both the alphabet sign and the message.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s letter "letter", 'to the letter' dates from the 1500s.