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let

Pronunciation: /lɛt/

The English word “let” has 13 meanings listed here.

verb

  1. To allow to, not to prevent (+ infinitive, but usually without to).
  2. To allow to be or do without interference; to not disturb or meddle with; to leave alone.
  3. To allow the release of (a fluid).
  4. To allow possession of (a property etc.) in exchange for rent.
  5. To give, grant, or assign, as a work, privilege, or contract; often with out.
  6. Used to introduce a first or third person imperative verb construction.
  7. To cause (+ bare infinitive).
  8. To hinder, prevent, impede, hamper, cumber; to obstruct (someone or something).
  9. To prevent someone from doing something; also to prevent something from happening.
  10. To tarry or delay.

noun

  1. The allowing of possession of a property etc. in exchange for rent.
  2. An obstacle or hindrance.
  3. The hindrance caused by the net during serve, only if the ball falls legally.

Etymology

Derived from Middle English leten, læten, from Old English lǣtan (“to allow, let go, bequeath, leave, rent”), from Proto-West Germanic *lātan, from Proto-Germanic *lētaną (“to leave behind, allow”), from Proto-Indo-European *leh₁d- (“to be tired, leave”). Cognates Cognate with Scots lat, lete (“to let, leave”), Yola leth (“let”), North Frisian leet, let, lätje (“to let”), Bavarian låssn (“to…

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.