let1
v.
(lets, letting; past and past part. let)
- not prevent or forbid; allow.
- used in the imperative to express an intention, proposal, or instruction:
let's have a drink.
- used to express an assumption upon which a theory or calculation is to be based:
let A and B stand for X and Y.
- chiefly Brit. allow someone to use (a room or property) in return for payment.
- award (a contract) to an applicant.
n.
Brit. a period during which a room or property is rented:
a short let.
Phrase
- let alone
not to mention. - let someone/thing be
stop interfering with someone or something. - let something fall
Geometry draw a perpendicular from an outside point to a line. - let fly
attack. - let oneself go
- act in an uninhibited way.
- become careless or untidy in one's habits or appearance.
- let someone/thing go
- allow someone or something to go free.
- euphemistic dismiss an employee.
-
(also let go or let go of)
relinquish one's grip on someone or something.
- let someone have it
informal attack someone. - to let
available for rent.
Phrase verbal
Derivative
Etymology
OE lætan ‘leave behind, leave out’, of Gmc origin; rel. to late.
let2
n.
(in racket sports) a circumstance under which a service is nullified and has to be retaken, especially (in tennis) when the ball clips the top of the net and falls within bounds.
v.
(lets, letting; past and past part. letted or let)
archaic hinder.
Phrase
- play a let
(in racket sports) play a point again because the ball or one of the players has been obstructed. - without let or hindrance
formal without obstruction; freely.
Etymology
OE lettan ‘hinder’, of Gmc origin; rel. to late.