let

I

[[t]lɛt[/t]]

v. let, let•ting

1) to allow or permit:

to let one's hair grow[/ex]

2) to allow to pass, go, or come:

He let us into the house[/ex]

3) to cause to; make:

to let her know the truth[/ex]

4) (used in the imperative as an auxiliary expressive of a request, command, warning, suggestion, etc.):

Let me see. Let's go. Just let them try it![/ex]

5) to grant the occupancy or use of for rent or hire:

to let rooms[/ex]

6) to contract or assign for performance:

to let work to a carpenter[/ex]

7) to admit of being leased:

an apartment to let for $200 a week[/ex]

8) aer. phv let down

a) phv to disappoint or betray; fail

b) to lower

c) to make (a garment) longer

d) aer. (of an airplane) to descend to a lower altitude for landing

9) phv let in on, to allow to share in:

I'll let you in on a secret[/ex]

10) phv let off

a) phv to release explosively:

to let off steam[/ex]

b) to excuse from work or responsibility

c) to release with little or no punishment

11) phv let on

a) to reveal, as information or one's true feelings

b) to pretend

12) phv let out

a) to make known

b) to release from confinement, restraint, etc

c) to alter (a garment) so as to make larger or looser

d) to be finished or dismissed:

School lets out in May[/ex]

13) phv let up

a) phv to abate; diminish

b) to cease; stop

14) phv let up on, to become more lenient with

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- let be

15) idi inf let someone have it, Informal. to attack or assault

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Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE lǣtan, c. OS lātan, OHG lāzan, ON lāta, Go letan; akin to late syn: See allow usage: Perhaps because let's has come to be felt as a word in its own right rather than as the contraction of let us, it often occurs in informal speech and writing with redundant or appositional pronouns: Let's us plan a picnic. Let's you and I (or me) get together tomorrow. Usage guides suggest avoiding these constructions. II

let

[[t]lɛt[/t]] n.

1) spo (in tennis, badminton, etc.) any shot or action that must be replayed, esp. an otherwise valid serve that has hit the top of the net

2) law Chiefly Law. an impediment or obstacle:

to act without let or hindrance[/ex]

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Etymology: bef. 900; ME letten (v.), lette (n.; der. of the v.), OE lettan