let
Pronunciation: (let), [key]
— v., n. let, let•ting,
—v.t.
- to allow or permit: to let him escape.
- to allow to pass, go, or come: to let us through.
- to grant the occupancy or use of (land, buildings, rooms, space, etc., or movable property) for rent or hire (sometimes fol. by out).
- to contract or assign for performance, usually under a contract: to let work to a carpenter.
- to cause to; make: to let one know the truth.
- (used in the imperative as an auxiliary expressive of a request, command, warning, suggestion, etc.): Let me see. Let us go. Just let them try it!
—v.i.
- to admit of being rented or leased: The apartment lets for $100 per week.
- See(def. 5).
-
- to refrain from interference.
- to refrain from interfering with.
- We were too near success to let down in our efforts.
- to disappoint; fail.
- to betray; desert.
- to slacken; abate:We were too near success to let down in our efforts.
- to allow to descend slowly; lower.
- Aeron.(of an airplane) to descend from a higher to a lower altitude preparatory to making an approach and landing or a similar maneuver.
- See(def. 82).
- to let someone in for a loss.
- to admit.
- to involve (a person) in without his or her knowledge or permission:to let someone in for a loss.
- Also,let into.to insert into the surface of (a wall or the like) as a permanent addition:to let a plaque into a wall.
- Also,let in on.to share a secret with; permit to participate in.
- The judge let off the youthful offender with a reprimand.
- to release by exploding.
- to free from duty or responsibility; excuse.
- to allow to go with little or no punishment; pardon:The judge let off the youthful offender with a reprimand.
- She was terrified at the prospect, but didn't let on.
- to reveal one's true feelings:She was terrified at the prospect, but didn't let on.
- to pretend:They let on that they didn't care about not being invited, but I could tell that they were hurt.
- When does the university let out for the summer?
- to divulge; make known.
- to release from confinement, restraint, etc.
- to enlarge (a garment).
- to terminate; be finished; end:When does the university let out for the summer?
- to make (a let-out fur or pelt).
- to attack or assault, as by striking, shooting, or rebuking: The gunman threatened to let the teller have it if he didn't move fast.
- This heat wave should let up by the end of the week.
- to slacken; diminish; abate:This heat wave should let up by the end of the week.
- to cease; stop:The rain let up for a few hours.
- to treat less severely; be more lenient with: He refused to let up on the boy until his grades improved.
—n.
- a lease.
let
Pronunciation: (let), [key]
— n., v., let•tedorlet, let•ting.
—n.
- (in tennis, badminton, etc.) any play that is voided and must be replayed, esp. a service that hits the net and drops into the proper part of the opponent's court.
- an impediment or obstacle: to act without let or hindrance.
—v.t.
- to hinder, prevent, or obstruct.
-let
- a diminutive suffix attached to nouns (booklet; piglet; ringlet), and, by extraction froma suffix denoting a band, piece of jewelry, or article of clothing worn on the part of the body specified by the noun (anklet; wristlet).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.