suffix forming nouns, usu. Diminutive (flatlet) or denoting articles of ornament or dress (anklet). [french]

- —v. (-tt-; past and past part. Let) 1 a allow to, not prevent or forbid. B cause to (let me know).

- (foll. By into) allow to enter.

- grant the use of (rooms, land, etc.) For rent or hire.

- allow or cause (liquid or air) to escape (let blood).

- aux. Supplying the first and third persons of the imperative in exhortations (let us pray), commands (let it be done at once; let there be light), assumptions, etc. (let ab equal cd). —n. Act of letting a house, room, etc. let alone 1 not to mention, far less or more (hasn't got a television, let alone a video).

- = let be. Let be not interfere with, attend to, or do. Let down 1 lower.

- fail to support or satisfy, disappoint.

- lengthen (a garment).

- deflate (a tyre). Let down gently reject or disappoint without humiliating. Let drop (or fall) drop (esp. A word or hint) intentionally or by accident. Let go 1 release.

- a (often foll. By of) lose one's hold. B lose hold of. Let oneself go 1 act spontaneously.

- neglect one's appearance or habits. Let in 1 allow to enter (let the dog in; let in a flood of light).

- (foll. By for) involve (a person, often oneself) in loss or difficulty.

- (foll. By on) allow (a person) to share a secret, privileges, etc. Let loose release, unchain. Let off 1 a fire (a gun). B explode (a bomb).

- allow or cause (steam etc.) To escape.

- a not punish or compel. B (foll. By with) punish lightly.

- —n. Obstruction of a ball or player in tennis etc., requiring the ball to be served again. —v. (-tt-; past and past part. Letted or let) archaic hinder, obstruct. without let or hindrance unimpeded. [old english: related to *late]