Etymology Map
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Letter

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a written message; an alphabet sign

Where does the word "letter" come from? It comes from Latin littera, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
littera
Latin · ancient
"letter of the alphabet"
the plural 'litterae' meant an epistle
2
Stage 2 of 3
letre
Old French · medieval
"letter"
both the alphabet sign and the message
3
Stage 3 of 3
letter
English · 1200s
"letter"
'to the letter' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

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.