Note: The active form of the infinitive of let, as of many other English verbs, is often used in a passive sense; as, a house to let (i. e., for letting, or to be let). This form of expression conforms to the use of the Anglo-Saxon gerund with to (dative infinitive) which was commonly so employed. See Gerund, 2. " Your elegant house in Harley Street is to let." Thackeray. In the imperative mood, before the first person plural, let has a hortative force. " Rise up, let us go." Mark xiv. 42. " Let us seek out some desolate shade." Shak. To let alone, to leave; to withdraw from; to refrain from interfering with. — To let blood, to cause blood to flow; to bleed. — To let down. (a) To lower. (b) To soften in tempering; as to let down tools, cutlery, and the like. — To let drive or fly, to discharge with violence, as a blow, an arrow, or stone. See under Drive, and Fly. — To let in or into. (a) To permit or suffer to enter; to admit. (b) To insert, or imbed, as a piece of wood, in a recess formed in a surface for the purpose. To let loose, to remove restraint from; to permit to wander at large. — To let off (a) To discharge; to let fly, as an arrow; to fire the charge of, as a gun. (b) To release, as from an engagement or obligation. [Colloq.] To let out. (a) To allow to go forth; as, to let out a prisoner. (b) To extend or loosen, as the folds of a garment; to enlarge; to suffer to run out, as a cord. (c) To lease; to give out for performance by contract, as a job. (d) To divulge. — To let slide, to let go; to cease to care for. [Colloq.] " Let the world slide." Shak.
LET
Let, v. i.
1. To forbear. [Obs.] Bacon.
2. To be let or leased; as, the farm lets for $500 a year. See note under Left, v. i. To let on, to tell; to tattle; to divulge something. [Low] — To let up, to become less severe; to diminish; to cease; as, when the storm lets up. [Colloq.]
LET-ALONE
Let"-a*lone", a.
Defn: Letting alone. The let-alone principle, doctrine, or policy.
(Polit. Econ.) See Laissez faire.
LETCH
Letch, v. & n.
Defn: See Leach.
LETCH
Letch, n. Etym: [See Lech, Lecher.]
Defn: Strong desire; passion. (Archaic.) Some people have a letch for unmasking impostors, or for avenging the wrongs of others. De Quincey.