• LET
n. 1. 1684 – a letting for hire or rent
n. 2. 1702 Sc. & US – a hindrance; an obstacle
n. 3. 1929 Sc. – a lull or interval of good or calm weather in the midst of bad
vb. 1. c888 arch. – to hinder, to prevent, to obstruct, to stand in the way of
vb. 2. c900 obs. – to leave undone, to omit to do; to leave out, to omit, as in reading, recitation, etc.
vb. 3. 971 obs. – to allow to remain; to leave behind; to abstain from taking away, using, consuming, occupying, etc.
vb. 4. c1000 obs. – to behave, to comport oneself; to have a particular behaviour or appearance; to make as though, to pretend
vb. 5. c1175 obs. – to quit, to abandon, to forsake
vb. 6. c1200 obs. – to think
vb. 7. c1200 obs. – to lose one’s life, virtue, honour, etc.
vb. 8. c1200 obs. – to desist, to forbear
vb. 9. 1340 obs. – to bequeath
vb. 10. c1374 obs. – to check or withhold oneself; to desist, to refrain
vb. 11. c1385 obs. – to delay, to tarry, to wait
• LET A-BE
phr. 1818 Sc. – let be, let alone; not to mention
• LETABUND
adj. 1535 Sc. obs. rare – full of joy, joyful
• LETACAMP
n. 1494 Sc. obs. – a camp-bed
• LET A FART
vb. 20C sl. – to release intestinal gas, usually audibly
• LET ALL HOLTS GO
vb. 1894 Amer. dial. – to relax or lose one’s grip; to abandon one’s position; to suddenly interrupt or stop what one is doing
• LET ALONE
vb. 1884 Amer. dial. – to break off, to discontinue
• LETARI
n. 1900s UK tramps’ sl. – a lodging
• LETATING
adj. 1694 obs. rare – making glad or joyful
• LET AWAY
vb. 1. a1000 obs. – to drop a letter in a word
vb. 2. a1100 obs. – to allow to go away; to permit to depart
• LET-BOAT
n. 1903 Amer. dial. – a rental boat
• LETCH
n. 1. 1138 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a stream flowing through boggy land; a muddy ditch or hole; a bog
n. 2. 1796 – a craving, a longing
n. 3. 1796 sl. – sexual desire
n. 4. 1868 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a pool of blood
n. 5. 1943 sl. – a lecher
vb. 1. 1911 sl. – to experience sexual desire
vb. 2. 20C sl. – to ogle or stare at a woman; to study a woman sexually
• LETCHER
n. 12C – a lewd man; a habitual fornicator; a lecher
• LETCHING-PIECE
n. 20C Brit. sl. – a sexually loose woman; a woman considered sexually
• LETCH-WATER
n. 18C Brit. sl. – semen or natural vaginal lubrication, esp. as an indication of sexual arousal
• LET DAYLIGHT INTO
vb. 1. 1890 sl. – to stab or shoot a person
vb. 2. 20C Amer. sl. – to clarify one’s thoughts or thinking on a specific subject; to contribute facts or ideas to a discussion
• LET DAYLIGHT INTO ONE
vb. c1840 colloq. – to make a hole in, esp. to stab or shoot; hence, to kill
• LET DAYLIGHT SHINE THROUGH
vb. 1774 US sl. – to shoot or stab, esp. fatally
• LET DAYLIGHT THROUGH
vb. 1839 US sl. – to shoot or stab, esp. fatally
• LET DOWN
vb. 1. 1640 obs. – to deliver a blow at
vb. 2. 1747 – to abase, to humble, to humiliate
vb. 3. 1967 Amer. dial. – to cost, to ‘set one back’
vb. 4. 1972 Amer. dial. – to rain heavily
vb. 5. 1973 Amer. dial. – of wind: to abate
• LET DOWN A FEW PEGS
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate
• LET DOWN A PEG
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate
• LET DOWN A PEG OR TWO
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate
• LET DOWN RAIN
vb. 1986 Amer. dial. – to rain heavily
• LET FALL
vb. 1. c1475 obs. rare – to lower a price
vb. 2. 1810 Sc. – to take notice of, to make a ground of quarrel
vb. 3. 1816 – to shed tears
• LET FLEE A FART
vb. c1386 obs. – to break wind
• LET FLY
vb. 1. 20C US sl. – to break wind
vb. 2. 20C US sl. – to spit
vb. 3. 20C US sl. – to urinate
• LET FLY A FART
vb. 14C colloq. – to release intestinal gas
• LET-GAME
n. c1374 obs. – a hinderer of pleasure, a spoilsport
• LET GO
vb. 1. 19C Brit. sl. – to ejaculate
vb. 2. 20C US colloq. – to fire; to terminate the employment of someone
• LETH
n. 971 obs. – hatred, ill-will, malevolence
• LETHALITY
n. 1656 rare – the condition of being lethal; ability to cause death; deadliness
• LETHALIZE
vb. 1897 rare – to destroy in a lethal chamber
• LETHARGE
n. 1615 obs. rare – a lethargic person
• LETHARGEAN
adj. 1659 obs. rare – lethargic, listless
• LETHARGICAL
adj. 1651 – lethargic
• LETHARGICNESS
n. 1633 obs. – lethargy
• LETHARGINE
adj. 1656 obs. rare – lethargic
• LETHARGIOUS
adj. a1548 obs. rare – lethargic
• LETHARGIZE
vb. 1614 – to affect with lethargy
• LETHARGY
n. 1634 obs. – a lethargic or sleepy person
• LETHE
adj. c1440 obs. rare – flexible, supple
n. 1. 1567 – in Greek mythology: a river in Hades, the water of which produced, in those who drank it, forgetfulness of the past; hence, the ‘waters of oblivion’ or forgetfulness of the past
n. 2. 1601 rare – death
• LETHEAN
adj. c1645 – pert. to or causing oblivion or forgetfulness of the past
• LETHED
adj. 1623 obs. rare – dead, defunct
• LETHER
n. 1741 obs. – a ladder
• LETHIED
adj. 1606 obs. rare – ? Lethean
• LETHIFERAL
adj. 1848 rare – causing death, fatal
• LETHIFEROUS
adj. 1651 – that causes or results in death, deadly
• LETHIFEROUSNESS
n. 1727 obs. rare – death-bringing quality
• LET HIM R.I.P.
phr. L19 sl. – let him rest in peace, i.e. don’t bother about him
• LETHRON
n. 1718 Sc. obs. – a term of abuse for a lazy, loutish person; a loafer; a slattern, a drab
• LETHY
adj. 1613 obs. rare – causing oblivion or forgetfulness of the past
► LETIFICATE vb. to make glad or joyful, to cheer, to rejoice (also LAETIFICATE) → 1547 obs.
• LETIFY
vb. 1579 obs. – to make glad, to rejoice
• LET INTO
vb. 1851 sl. – to attack
• LET IT ALL HANG OUT
vb. 1. 1970 sl., orig. US – to relax, to take it easy
vb. 2. 1970 sl., orig. US – to speak candidly
• LET IT ALL OUT
vb. 1960s Amer. sl. – to say what is on your mind
• LET IT ROLL!
int. 1960s Amer. sl. – start it up!
• LET IT SOAK
vb. L19 sl. – of a man: to linger before withdrawing one’s penis after intercourse
• LETLESS
adj. 1375 obs. rare – without let or hindrance
• LET LOOSE ALL HOLTS
vb. 1943 Amer. dial. – to relax or lose one’s grip; to abandon one’s position; to suddenly interrupt or stop what one is doing
• LETMENT
n. 1574 obs. – hiring, letting out
• LET MOONLIGHT INTO
vb. L18 sl. – to shoot; to stab
• LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE
vb. 1. 20C colloq. – to begin petting and progress all the way to coition
vb. 2. 20C US euphemism – to permit sexual attraction to accomplish some appropriate task such as breeding animals or restoring harmony to a marriage
• LET-OFF
n. 1827 – a display of festivity, a festive gathering
• LET ON
vb. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – to disclose
• LET ONE
vb. M20 US colloq. – to release intestinal gas (the ‘one’ is euphemistic for ‘fart’)
• LET ONE’S HAIR DOWN
vb. 1974 sl. – to enjoy oneself or have fun after a period of restraint
• LET OUT
n. 1836 Anglo-Irish – an entertainment on a large or lavish scale
vb. 1. a1250 obs. – to give vent to anger, etc.
vb. 2. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – to begin
• LET OUT A REEF
vb. Bk1903 sl. – to unfasten a button after a meal
• LET OUT ONE’S PARLOUR AND LIE BACKWARDS
vb. L17 sl. – to work as a prostitute
• LET OUT THE KINKS
vb. 1870 Amer. sl. – to go at top speed
• LET-PASS
n. 1635 – a permission to pass; a permit
• LET REEK
vb. 1893 Eng. dial. – to discharge a gun
• LET’S BLAZE!
int. 20C teen & high school sl. – let’s go!
• LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
vb. 1822 – to leave things undisturbed
• LETSOME
adj. 1647 obs. – slow, tardy, sluggish
• LET SOMEONE DOWN A BUTTONHOLE
vb. L16 sl. – to humiliate someone; to deflate someone
• LET SOMEONE DOWN EASILY
vb. M19 sl. – to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news
• LET SOMEONE DOWN EASY
vb. M19 sl. – to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news
• LET SOMEONE DOWN GENTLY
vb. M19 sl. – to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news
• LET SOMEONE DOWN LIGHT(LY)
vb. M19 sl. – to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news
• LET SOMEONE DOWN SOFTLY
vb. M19 sl. – to treat someone kindly and considerately when one has to deliver bad or disappointing news
• LET SOMEONE HAVE IT
vb. 1. M19 sl., orig. US – to challenge, to pose a difficult question, to reprimand severely, to criticize
vb. 2. M19 sl., orig. US – to hit, to kill, esp. with gunfire
• LET SOMEONE IN FOR
vb. M19 sl. – to involve, usually in unfortunate circumstances, such as financial ruin or a criminal prosecution
• LET SOMEONE IN ON
vb. 20C sl. – to impart otherwise secret or privileged information
• LET SOMEONE OFF EASY
vb. 20C sl. – to deal with someone kindly
• LET SOMEONE OFF THE HOOK
vb. 1960s sl. – to excuse someone from punishment
• LET’S REJOICE
n. 20C Aust. rhyming sl. – the voice
• LET SUNLIGHT INTO
vb. 20C Amer. sl. – to clarify one’s thoughts or thinking on a specific subject; to contribute facts or ideas to a discussion
• LET’S VAMOS!
int. 1980s US students’ sl. – let’s go!
• LETT
n. 1879 Sc. – a small amount of liquid; a drop, a spot
• LETTAGE
n. 1530 obs. rare – the act of letting, hiring out
• LETTARY
n. 1900s UK tramps’ sl. – a lodging
• LETTED
adj. 1388 obs. rare – hindered, impeded
• LETTEN
adj. 1767 obs. rare – hired, let out
• LETTER
n. 1. c1325 obs. – anything written; an inscription, document, text; a written warrant or authority
n. 2. 19C Brit. – a condom
n. 3. 1910s US sl. – a letter worn on one’s clothing that indicates success in college sports
• LETTER A
adj. 1833 sl. – prime; first-class; of the best
• LETTERATO
n. 1656 obs. – a man of letters; a learned man
• LETTERBOX
n. 1990s sl. – a passive homosexual
• LETTER-CASE
n. 1672 obs. – an envelope
• LETTER-COVER
n. 1742 obs. – an envelope
• LETTERED
adj. 1. 1303 – learned, literate, educated
adj. 2. 18C UK criminals’ sl. – branded on the hand
• LETTERET
n. 1817 – a short letter
• LETTER-FENCER
n. L19 sl. – a postman
• LETTER FROM HOME
n. 1. 1939 Amer. dial. – something or someone that triggers nostalgia
n. 2. 1950s African-American sl. – a watermelon
• LETTER-GO
n. a1637 – one who ‘lets go’; a spendthrift; a squanderer
• LETTER-HEAD
n. 1887 Eng. dial. – a postage stamp
• LETTER-HOUSE
n. 1832 Eng. dial. – a post office
• LETTERING
n. 1704 Sc. obs. – a latrine, a privy
• LETTERIZE
vb. 1824 rare – to write letters or epistles
• LETTER-LEARNED
adj. 1649 obs. – learnt from letters or books
• LETTERLET
n. 1836 nonce word – a short letter, a note
• LETTERLING
n. 1781 nonce word – a short letter, a note
• LETTER-MONGER
n. 1699 nonce word obs. – a forger of letters
• LETTER-OFFICE
n. 1689 – a post office
• LETTER-PERFECT
adj. 1885 theatrical usage – knowing one’s part to the letter
• LETTER-RACKET
n. 1812 – going about to respectable houses with a letter or statement, detailing some case of extreme distress, as shipwreck, sufferings by fire, etc.
• LETTERS
n. c1250 obs. – writings, written records
• LETTER-STRUCK
adj. 1667 nonce word – smitten with the love of learning
• LETTER-WILL
n. 1596 Sc. obs. – one’s testament
• LET THE AIR OUT OF
vb. 1. 1940s sl. – to debunk; to expose the falseness of
vb. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate
vb. 3. 1950s US sl. – to let down, to deflate emotionally
• LET THE BADGER LOOSE
vb. 1970s US Western sl. – to celebrate wildly; to ‘let off steam’
• LET THE BEST DOG LEAP OVER THE STILE FIRST
vb. 18C sl. – to allow the best qualified or most suitable person to take the lead
• LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG
vb. c1750 – to disclose a secret or a trick
• LET THE CAT OUT OF THE SACK
vb. 1967 Amer. dial. – to disclose a secret
• LET THE CAT OUT OF THE WALLET
vb. 1804 Amer. dial. – to give away a secret or tell a piece of news too soon; to let the cat out of the bag
• LET THE DAYLIGHT INTO
vb. L18 sl. – to shoot; to stab
• LET THE DAYLIGHT INTO THE LUNCHEON RESERVOIR
vb. L18 sl. – to shoot; to stab
• LET THE DAYLIGHT INTO THE VICTUALLING DEPARTMENT
vb. L18 sl. – to shoot; to stab
• LET THE DAYLIGHT THROUGH
vb. L18 sl. – to shoot; to stab
• LET THE DEAL GO DOWN
vb. 1940s African-American sl. – to allow events to proceed without dishonesty or deceit
• LET THE DOG SEE THE RABBIT
int. c1938 Brit. sl. – get out of the way! get out of the light!
phr. 20C sl. – said of one who wishes to do or see something
vb. 1930s sl. – to give someone a chance to get on with a task
• LET THE GAS OUT OF
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate
• LET THE HAMMER DOWN
vb. 1944 Amer. dial. – to give a restive horse a preliminary, calming warm-up
• LET THE HOGS OUT
vb. 1954 Amer. dial. – to make an embarrassing mistake
• LET THE MILK DOWN
vb. 1970s US sl. – to reveal the facts after withholding them for some time
• LET THE MULES OUT
vb. 1954 Amer. dial. – to make an embarrassing mistake
• LET THE OLD CAT DIE
vb. 1881 – to let a swing come to a standstill by itself
• LET THE WORLD WAG
vb. a1529 – to regard the course of events with unconcern
• LET THE WORLD WAG AS IT WILL
vb. 1611 – to regard the course of events with unconcern
• LETTING
adj. c1450 obs. rare – hindering
n. 1. c1020 arch. – delaying, hindering; a hindrance, an obstacle
n. 2. 1398 obs. – wasting of time
• LETTO
int. 1929 Sc. – an exclamation of commiseration or disparagement; dear, dear!
n. 1929 Sc. – a trifle; something insignificant or of little worth
• LETTRURE
n. 1. a1300 obs. – a writing, a written book, a story
n. 2. a1300 obs. – knowledge of letters or books; learning
• LETTUCE
n. 1929 sl., orig. US – money
• LETTUCE BIRD
n. a1782 Amer. dial. – a goldfinch
• LETTY
adj. 1642 Eng. dial. – that hinders
n. 1846 sl. – a lodging; a bed
• LET-UP
n. 1837 US – a pause; a cessation; a relief
vb. c1857 orig. & chiefly US – (as ‘let up’) to become less severe; to cease
• LET UP ON
vb. 1857 orig. & chiefly US – to cease to have to do with
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