Let v.1. World English Historical Dictionary

Let v.1. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1903, rev. 2024. Let v.1 Pa. t. and pa. pple. let. Forms: 1 lǽtan, Northumb. léta, (3rd sing. pres. ind. léttes), 2–3 læten, (Orm. -enn), 3 leaten, leoten, (3rd sing. lat, let), 2–4 leten, 3–4 laten, 3–6 late, lete, latt(e, lette, 3–8 lett, 3–9 (now dial.) lat, 4 leet(e, 4–5 latyn, 4–6 Sc. leit, 5 lait, laatyn, leett, 3– let. Pa. t. 1 lét(t, léot, Northumb. leort, (2nd pl. letten), 3 liet, 3–5 lett, leet, (3rd pl. lætten), 3–6 lete, lette, 4 leite, lat, 4–5 Sc. leyt, 4–6 Sc. leit, 5 late, 6 Sc. lait, luit, lut(e, 8–9 Sc. loot, 2– let. β. weak: 5–6 letid, 5 lettid, 7 -ed. Pa. pple. 1 (ʓe) lǽten, 3 ilete(n, ilet, (i)late, 3–5 leten, -in, 5 leeten, 3–5 latin, 3–6 laten, 4 ylat, ylet(e, ilaten, 4–5 (y)lete, lattyn, 4–6 lattin, 5–7 lett, 5–9 (now dial.) letten, 6 letton, lat(t)ne, lette, leate, 7, 9 Sc. latten, 9 Sc. lotten, looten, 7–9 lett, 4– let. [A Com. Teut. reduplicating str. vb.: OE. lǽtan (Northumb. léta), pa. t. lét, leort (chiefly Anglian and poet.), pa. pple. ʓelǽten, corresponds to OFris. lêta, pa. t. lît, lêt, pa. pple. lêten, OS. lâtan, pa. t. liet, lêt, pa. pple. gilâtan (Du. latan, pa. t. liet, pa. pple. gelaten), OHG. lâȥan, pa. t. liaȥ, pa. pple. gilâȥan (MHG. lâȥen, pa. t. lieȥ, also shortened lân, pa. t. lie, pa. pple. gilân; mod.G. lassen, pa. t. liesz, pa. pple. gelassen), ON. láta, pa. t. lét, pa. pple. látenn (Sw. låta, Da. lade), Goth. lêtan, pa. t. lailôt. The root, Teut. *lǣt-:—pre-Teut. *lēd-, is related by ablaut to Teut. *lat- (whence LATE a.):—pre-Teut. *lad- (whence L. lassus weary); Brugmann compares Gr. ληδεῖν (Hesychius) ‘to be weary.’ The primary sense of the vb. would thus seem to be ‘to let go through weariness, to neglect’; cf. the development of the Romanic synonym (F. laisser:—L. laxāre, f. laxus loose). In all the Teut. langs., however, the word has the same senses as in OE.

1   The shortening of the root vowel (which is curiously parallel to the change of MHG. lâʓen into mod.G. lassen) has not been satisfactorily explained, and no precisely analogous instance has been found, though in the vbs. fret and get the normal lengthening of OE. e in open syllables has not taken place before t, and the OE. ǽ, éa are very generally shortened before d and þ, as in dread, bread, breath.]

2   I.  To leave; to allow to pass.

3   † 1.  trans. To allow to remain; to leave behind; to abstain from taking away, using, consuming, occupying, etc. Obs.

4 971.  Blickl. Hom., 125. Hwilce hwile hine wille Drihten her on worlde lætan.

5 c. 1205.  Lay., 14778. Saxes … letten i þissen londe wiues & heore children.

6 c. 1220.  Bestiary, 777. Amonges men a swete smel he let her of his holi spel.

7 c. 1300.  Havelok, 1924. Summe in gripes bi þe her Drawen ware, and laten þer.

8 13[?].  Coer de L., 4136. Stondyng hous wyl he non lete.

9 13[?].  Guy Warw. (A.), 1620. Herhaudes bodi wiþ him he bar, For he nold it nouȝt lete þar.

10 c. 1330.  Spec. Gy Warw., 218. And ȝaf to man fre power … Þe euel to late and god to take.

11 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., IV. pr. iv. 101 (Camb. MS.). As to the wyse folk ther nis no place Ileten to hate þat is to seyn that ne hate hath no place amonges wyse men.

12 c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 6556. If men wolde ther-geyn appose The naked text, and lete the glose.

13 1561.  Hollybush, Hom. Apoth., 32. In that pouder growe little wormes, let the same therin.

14 1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., I. ii. 41. Ile giue him my Commission, To let him there a Moneth, behind the Gest Prefix’d for’s parting.

15 1651.  trans. De-las-Coveras’ Don Fenise, 76. He asked me where I let my traine.

16   † b.  To loose one’s hold of, let go. Obs.

17 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1811. Quad iacob, ðe ne leate ic noȝt, Til ðin bliscing on me beð wroȝt.

18   † 2.  To leave undone, omit to do; to leave out, omit (in reading, recitation, etc.). Also with negative complement, to leave undone, etc. See also let alone (18 b). Obs.

19 c. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., Pref. (1890), 4. Þæt ic sylf onʓeat, ne let ic þæt unwriten.

20 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 8. Þeos … beoð alle ine freo wille to donne oþer to leten hwon me euer wule. Ibid., 38. Hwo se þuncheð to longe lete þe psalmes.

21 c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 17. Þu wult lete lehtliche & abeore bliðeliche þe derf þat tu drehest.

22 1340.  Ayenb., 74. Hit ne is naȝt ynoȝ to lete þe kueades: bote me lyerny þet guod to done.

23   † b.  with inf. as obj.: To omit or forbear to do something. Cf. LET v.2 2, to which some of the instances given here may belong. Obs.

24 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 80. Chefe justise he satte, þe sothe to atrie, For lefe no loth to lette þe right lawe to guye.

25 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 1186. Lettes nouȝt for ȝoure liues ȝour lord forto socoure.

26 c. 1400.  Maundev., iv. (1839), 27. Ȝif thou lette to go, thou schalt have a gret harm.

27 c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 4918. It was nyght, þarfore he lett to fyght, bot bade day lyght.

28 1535.  Coverdale, Ecclus. xviii. 22. Let not to praye allwaye.

29 1558–68.  Warde, trans. Alexis’ Secr., 41 b. Let not in the meane tyme to use other remedies.

30 1593.  Shaks., Lucr., 10. Colatine … did not let To praise the cleare vnmatched red and white.

31 1604.  Edmonds, Observ. Cæsar’s Comm., 78. Thereupon he did not let to put them in mind of his opinion.

32 1620.  Bradford, Plymouth Plant., ix. (1856), 75. Ther was a proud and very profane yonge man [who] did not let to tell them [the sick], that he hoped to help to cast halfe of them over board before they came to their jurneys end.

33 1653.  H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., ii. 4. How violent soever the Tempest was … we letted not to discover the isles of Curia [etc.].

34   † c.  absol. and intr. To desist, forbear. Const. of, from. Cf. LET v.2 2. Obs.

35 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 75. Þe haueð michel sineged and nele lete ne bete.

36 a. 1310.  in Wright, Lyric P., xxxvii. 103. Thus hit geth bituene hem tuo, That on saith, let, that other seyth, do.

37 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, II. 1451 (1500). Now spek, now prey, now pitously compleyne, Lat not for nyce shame, or drede, or slouthe.

38 c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 224. ‘Let of þy speche’ þe Erl hym saide.

39 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 712. He sware … All tho couenaundes to kepe, & for no cause let. Ibid., 6458. He light doune full lyuely, lettid he noght.

40 c. 1450.  Lay Folks Mass Bk. (MS. F.), 85. Offere or lete, whethere thu list.

41 c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1062. Of his foly scho bad him lete.

42 1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 49. The other houndes that seeth ye game, foloweth ye same … & letteth for nothynge.

43 1547.  Homilies, I. (1859), 79. When they … do swear … not to let from saying the truth.

44 c. 1554.  Interl. Youth, B iij b. We wil let for none expence.

45   3.  trans. To omit or cease to speak of. Also intr. (const. of).

46 c. 1205.  Lay., 25069. Lete we nu of Costantin … and speken of Maximiæn.

47 c. 1300.  Havelok, 328. Of Goldeboru shul we nou laten.

48 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 382. But trewely of hem at þis time þe tale y lete.

49 a. 1400.  Octouian, 1459. Now schull we lete here of Clement And telle how [etc.].

50 a. 1400[?].  Arthur, 636. On þe frensch boke … he schalle fynde … Þynges þat y leete here.

51   † 4.  To leave to some one else. Obs.

52 a. 1000.  in Earle, Land Charters, 203. Ic hæbbe ealle ða spæce to Ælfheʓe læten.

53 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 7659. Hii … lete þe king þe maistrie & flowe to scotlonde.

54 a. 1325.  Prose Psalter, xlviii[i]. 10. Hij shal laten her riches vn-to stranges.

55 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 883. So heigh a doctrine I lete to diuines.

56 c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 6998. Alle desertes, and holtes hore … I lete hem to the Baptist Iohan.

57 1422.  trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 174. Smale thynges thay lettyn to Smale men.

58 1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. vi. 16. She [the lily] … nether spinnes nor cards … But to her mother Nature all her care she letts.

59 1612.  Davies, Why Ireland, etc. 64. King Henrie the seuenth had sent neither horse nor foote hither, but let the Pale to the Guard and defence of the fraternitie of Saint George.

60   † b.  To bequeath. Obs.

61 1340.  Ayenb., 191. Hi hedde y-write ine hare testament þet hi let a þousend and vyf hondred pond.

62   † c.  To let to borgh (Sc.): to hand over upon security. Obs.

63 1482.  Acta Audit. (1839), 100/2. For þe wrangwis takin … of 1 scheip & a kow, quhilkis war ordanit of before be the lordis of consale to haue bene lattin to borgh to þe saide alexr.

64   † 5.  To quit, abandon, forsake. To abandon to (the flames). Obs.

65 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 39. Leteð eower stale and eower reaflac.

66 a. 1200.  Moral Ode, 337. Læte we þe brode strets, and þe wei bene.

67 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 725. Thare let hur, and ðeðen he nam, And wulde to lond canahan.

68 13[?].  K. Alis., 5812. The kyng lete the waye of the est, And by a ryuer tourned west.

69 c. 1330.  Spec. Gy Warw., 902. It is noht euel so to biginne, For drede of pine to late þi sinne.

70 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. XI. 22. Til thow be a lorde and haue londe leten the I nelle.

71 c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 411. Leteth youre ire, and beth sumwhat tretable! Ibid. (c. 1386), Pars. T., ¶ 768. A man shal lete fader and mooder, and taken hym to his wif.

72 c. 1430.  Hymns Virg., 30. If þat þou wolt þi synnes leett.

73 1430–40.  Lydg., Bochas, I. i. (1544), 3 b. God bad us not our countreyes for to lete To underfong thinges impossible.

74 1599.  Massinger, etc. Old Law, V. i. Eneas … Who letting all his Jewels to the flames … tooke his bedrid father on his back.

75   † 8.  To lose (one’s life, virtue, honor, etc.). Obs.

76 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 181. Hie goð welneih to hire liues ende, and fele here lif fulliche lated.

77 a. 1225.  Juliana, 75. Þis lif ȝe schulen leoten & nuten ȝe neauer hwenne.

78 a. 1240.  Wohunge, in Cott. Hom., 273. Ofte moni wummon letes hire mensket þurh þe luue of wepmon þat is of heh burðe.

79 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 10883. Isabel is wif … let at bercamstude þat lif.

80 c. 1430.  Syr Gener. (Roxb.), 9244. Many a knight his lyve lete.

81 1530.  Palsgr., 607/2. I lette my lyfe, I departe out of the worlde.

82 1577–87.  Holinshed, Chron., III. 1165/1. His … testament, which he made not long before he let his life.

83   † b.  intr. To abate, allow a deduction of. Obs.

84 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 213. Þe sullere lat sumdel of his lofe and þe beggere ecneð his bode.

85   7.  To allow the escape of (confined fluid); to shed (tears, blood); to emit (breath, sounds, etc.). Also, to discharge (a gun). To let blood (Surg.): see BLOOD sb. 1 d. Obs. or dial.

86 c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., II. 46. Læt þu him blod on ædre.

87 c. 1205.  Lay., 18980. Þa cnihtes scullen suggen … þat þu ært ilete blod.

88 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 8507. Þe teres þat hii lete so riue.

89 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., III. metr. i. 50 (Camb. MS.). The wynd nothus leteth hise plowngy blastes.

90 c. 1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 268. Tho was ther manye teres lete.

91 14[?].  A. B. C. on Pass. Christ, 202, in Pol., Rel., & L. Poems, 249. Þe blod þat cryst let for mankende.

92 1553.  Bale, Vocacyon, 40. Than caused the Captaine a pece of ordinaunce to be fiered, and a gunne to be lete, to call backe the purser.

93 1559.  Morwyng, Evonym., 120. Take the bloud of sanguin yong men vsing a good diet whyles it is newly letten.

94 1600.  Holland, Livy, XXVI. xiv. 594. Before they let their last breath.

95 1662.  J. Davies, trans. Mandelslo’s Trav., 190. Over-reaching her self to take a flaggon that stood a little too far from her, she chanced to let a wind backwards, which she was so much asham’d of, that putting her girment over her head, she would be no means shew her face after.

96 1712.  Arbuthnot, John Bull, III. v. The oak, that let many a heavy groan, when he was cleft with a wedge of his own timber.

97 1715.  Ramsay, Christ’s Kirk Gr., II. i. The bauld good-wife … loot an aith.

98 1785.  Burns, Halloween, xxiii. He … loot a winze.

99 1820.  Shelley, Œdipus, I. 266. I’ll slyly seize and Let blood from her weasand.

100 1832.  Lytton, Eugene A., I. v. Mr. Walter … wants to consult you about letting the water from the great pond.

101   † b.  intr. Of blood: To issue. Obs. rare.

102 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 36. Þe blode was boþe warme and fresh, þat of þe schankes lete [AF. le saunk pur veirs issist].

103   c.  To let at (now Sc.): to discharge missiles at; to assail; to aim at. Also to let into (slang): to attack.

104 1598.  Grenewey, Tacitus, Ann., II. v. (1622), 39. The Captaine … commaunded the sling-casters … to let freely at them and drive them from their fence.

105 c. 1800.  Christmas Ba’ing, in Skinner, Poet. Pieces (1809), 42. He first leit at the ba’.

106 1851–61.  Mayhew, Lond. Labour, III. 138. They got from six to nine months’ imprisonment; and those that let into the police, eighteen months.

107 1871.  W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, xxii. (1873), 131. I see brawly fat ye’re lattin at.

108 1872.  Punch, 2 March, 89/1. The PREMIER ‘let into’ the other gentleman with a fire and fury delightful to all but himself.

109   8.  To grant the temporary possession and use of (land, buildings, rooms, movable property) to another in consideration of rent or hire. † Formerly also, to lend (money) at interest. (For to let to hire, to farm, see the sbs.)

110 909.  in Birch, Cartul. Sax. (1887), II. 289. Eadward cyning & þa hiwan in Wintan ceastre lætað to Dænewulfe bisceope twentiʓ hida landes be Ticceburnan.

111 a. 1100.  O. E. Chron., an. 852 (Laud MS.). On þis tima leot Ceolred … Wulfrede to hande þet land of Sempiʓaham.

112 1340.  Ayenb., 42. Þe vifte [boȝ of auarice] is ine ham þet be markat makinde leteþ hare benefices.

113 1485.  Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 57. The said ship was letten on marchaundise … to Sr William Capell of London marchaunt.

114 1558.  Galway Arch., in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 388. We … have gyvin, grauntid, and for ever more leate unto John Lynch … a parcell of our ground.

115 1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., II. i. 110. It were a shame to let his Land by lease.

116 1616.  W. Haughton, English-men for My Money, I. i.        By the sweete loude trade of Usurie, Letting for Interest, and on Morgages, Doe I waxe rich.

117 1686.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2109/4. The Blackamoor’s Head in West-Smithfield is to be Lett.

118 1690.  Child, Disc. Trade (1694), 242. If Money were let as it is in other Countries.

119 1709.  Tatler, No. 88, ¶ 12. She had … let her Second Floor to a very genteel youngish Man.

120 1780.  A. Young, Tour Irel., I. xvi. (1892), 368. The farmer who lets the cows must [etc.].

121 1815.  Shelley, in Dowden, Life (1887), I. 522. Whether there is in any remote and solitary situation a house to let for a time.

122 1833.  Ht. Martineau, Brooke Farm, xi. 128. He went … to let his labour where it would obtain a better reward.

123 1838.  Dickens, Nich. Nick., ii. A quarter of the town that has gone down in the world, and taken to letting lodgings.

124 1844.  L. Hunt, Blue-Stocking Revels, I. 50.        And stood in a ‘House to Let,’ facing Hyde Park, ‘Unfurnish’d;’—But not so, ye gods, before dark!

125   b.  intr. in passive sense = to be let.

126 1855.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XVI. I. 156. Lands let at from 10d. to 4s. 6d. per acre.

127 1884.  Law Rep., 27 Ch. Div. 51. A large number of chambers now letting at many thousands a year.

128 1885.  Sir J. Bacon, in Law Times Rep., LII. 570/2. There was some reason to suppose that all the mortgaged houses would speedily let.

129   † 9.  To set free, liberate; also with complement, to let free, at large. Obs. (but cf. let loose, 19).

130 c. 1000.  Ælfric, Exod. xxi. 26. Læte hiʓ friʓe.

131 a. 1400.  Octouian, 767. As glad as grehond y-lete of lese.

132 1525.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. clvii. [cliii.] 433. To let the ladyes and damoselles at large.

133 1582–8.  Hist. Jas. VI. (1804), 74. Being taken prisoner [he] was condemnit to the death, bot thairefter was lattin free.

134 1609.  Skene, Reg. Maj., 4. In other pleyes of felonie … he quha is accused vses to be lettin frie.

135 1670.  Narborough, Jrnl., in Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1711), 33. I let the Greyhound at them.

136   10.  To allow to pass or go; to admit to, into a place. Also occas. (with notion of let down, 29) to lower gradually over, through something.

137 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xi. 49. Scho lete þam ouer þe wall … by a rape.

138 1697.  Potter, Antiq. Greece, II. iv. (1715), 223. Such Persons were purified by being let thro’ the lap of a Woman’s Gown.

139 1854.  Ld. Lonsdale, in Ld. Malmesbury’s Mem. Ex-Minister (1884), I. 420. They would not let a single Englishman on board of her.

140 1856.  Mrs. Browning, Aur. Leigh, II. 501. The creaking of the door, years past, Which let upon you such disabling news.

141 1894.  Baring-Gould, Deserts S. France, I. 140. The proprietor absolutely refused to let me over it [a factory].

142   † b.  To let to bail (Sc. borgh): to admit to bail.

143 1454–5.  Chart. Edinburgh, 12 Jan. (1871), 81. Nocht be ill pittit na prisonyt bot lattyn to borgh gif he has ony borowis.

144 1533–4.  Act 25 Hen. VIII., c. 14. Suche person … may be letten to baile by the ordinaries.

145 1581.  Lambarde, Eiren., III. ii. (1588), 339. Iustices of the Peace might … have letten to baile such persons as were indited of Felonie.

146 1609.  Skene, Reg. Maj., 4. He may be latten to borgh, be the Kings letter.

147   11.  When construed with certain prepositions the verb assumes senses which it has with the cognate adverbs.

148   a.  To let into: (a) to admit to, give entrance to, allow to enter (lit. and fig.); † also absol. and in indirect pass.; (b) to insert in the surface or substance of; † (c) to introduce, bring to; (d) to introduce to the knowledge of, make acquainted with, inform about; also, † to let into one’s knowledge. (Cf. let in, 31.)

149   (a)  1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., ix. 201. Sum latne in to the castel haldeng the forme and schaw of a parleament.

150 a. 1599.  Spenser, F. Q., VII. vi. 11. She bid the Goddesse downe descend, And let her selfe into that Ivory throne.

151 1615.  G. Sandys, Trav., 111. A spacious Court, let into by a number of streets.

152 1646.  Boyle, Lett. to Marcombes, 22 Oct. Wks. 1772, I. Life 33. To let new light into the understanding.

153 1671.  L. Addison, West Barbary, 56. The Avenue that let into Gaylaus Country.

154 1680.  Lett. to Person of Honour, 20. It is not possible he should be further let into the Government.

155 1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 411, ¶ 5. A Man of a polite Imagination is let into a great many Pleasures, that the Vulgar are not capable of receiving.

156 1860.  Tyndall, Glac., I. xvii. 119. The mass turned over and let me into the lake.

157 1860.  Dickens, Uncomm. Trav., xvi. He lets us into the waiting-room.

158 1873.  Black, Pr. Thule, xix. He let himself into the house by his latch-key.

159 1885.  Daily News, 16 July, 4/7. If we let the Conservatives into office again.

160 1885.  Law Rep., 14 Q. Bench Div. 956. B. W. M. … was let into possession under this agreement.

161   (b)  1623.  Gouge, Serm. Extent God’s Provid., § 15. Two girders were by tenents and mortaises let into the midst of it [the maine Summier].

162 1694.  Acc. Sev. Late Voy., II. (1711), 215. Which colour they let into the Skin, by pricking it with a sharp Bone.

163 1858.  Hawthorne, Fr. & It. Jrnls., I. 277. A pointed arch of stone let into the plastered wall.

164 1859.  Jephson, Brittany, xviii. 291. A slab let into the wall.

165 1874.  Micklethwaite, Mod. Par. Churches, 180. I have known clocks to be let into the ledge of the pulpit.

166   (c)  1654.  Cromwell, Sp., 12 Sept., in Carlyle. That which I have now to say to you will need no preamble to let me into my discourse.

167   (d)  c. 1665.  Mrs. Hutchinson, Mem. Col. Hutchinson, 21. It is time that I let into your knowledge that splendour which [etc.].

168 1703.  Dk. Queensberry, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. IV. 238. He says he was let into all the secrets of the correspondence of Scotsmen with St. Germains.

169 1708.  Partridge, Bickerstaff Detected, in Swift’s Wks. (1735), I. 168. I have let the learned World fairly into the Controversy depending.

170 1712.  Arbuthnot, John Bull, II. iv. Gentlemen, I beg you will let me into my affairs a little.

171 1714.  Fr. Bk. of Rates, 3. Such … Explications … as may serve to let the Reader into the Reason and Nature of what is before him.

172 1742.  Richardson, Pamela, III. 39. I am glad thy honest Man has let thee into the Affair of Sally Godfrey.

173 1773.  Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., II. i. In the meantime my friend Marlow must not be let into his mistake.

174 1791.  ‘G. Gambado,’ Ann. Horsem., Pref. (1809), 57. By the putting forth of this work the public must be let into much useful knowledge.

175 1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, VII. i. ¶ 5. He had no objection to letting me into the fun, on condition that I would not blab.

176 1841.  Catlin, N. Amer. Ind. (1844), I. iii. 17. Before I let you into the amusements and customs of this delightful country.

177 1887.  ‘L. Carroll,’ Game of Logic, iv. 93. That lets me into a little fact about you!

178   b.  To let (a person) off a penalty, etc. (Cf. let off 32 c.)

179 1885.  Sir H. Cotton, in Law Times Rep., LII. 336/2. The judge … only lets the man off imprisonment on the terms of his paying the costs.

180   II.  Uses requiring a following infinitive (normally without to).

181   12.  trans. Not to prevent; to suffer, permit, allow.

182 971.  Blickl. Hom., 51. Hwæt dest þu þe ʓif Drihten … þe læteþ þone teoþan dæl anne habban.

183 a. 1100.  Gerefa, in Anglia (1886), IX. 260. Ne læte he næfre his hyrmen hyne ofer wealdan.

184 12[?].  in Trin. Coll. Hom., 258. Let vs, louerd, comen among þin holi kineriche.

185 a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 2123. Ich schal … leoten toluken þi flesch þe fuheles of þe lufte.

186 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 20198. Haf þis palme … Kepe it wel i prai it te, Lat tu neuer it be fra þe.

187 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 4821. Hys pleyn londes he let hym haue.

188 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 289/1. Latyn, or sufferyn a thynge to been.

189 c. 1500.  in Denton, Eng. in 15th C., Note D (1888), 318. I thynke for dyuers consyderacions it were better to lett the tenantes haue it.

190 a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 23. Ye kyng gave hym faire wordes, and let hym depart home.

191 1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. i. 53. Love of your selfe … and deare constraint, Lets me not sleepe.

192 1602.  Life T. Cromwell, I. ii. Your son Thomas will Not let us work at all.

193 1611.  Bible, Acts xxvii. 15. When the ship was caught, and could not beare vp into the winde, we let her driue.

194 1634.  Milton, Comus, 378. She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings.

195 1675.  E. W[ilson], Spadacr. Dunelm., 64. If it be let stand and settle any long time.

196 1734.  Pope, Ess. Man, IV. 356. Let thy enemies have part.

197 1816.  Scott, Old Mort., xl. I loot naebody sort it but my ain hands.

198 1834.  J. H. Newman, Lett. (1891), II. 24. I was not let see him.

199 1849.  Thackeray, Pendennis, vi. Bows had taken her in hand and taught her part after part…. She knew that he made her: and let herself be made.

200 1885.  Law Rep., 29 Ch. Div. 539. Lomer … was right in letting Newman have the funds.

201   ¶ b.  A few examples of the use of to before the infinitive in this construction occur in all periods; now chiefly when let is used in the passive.

202 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. vii. 6. That he shuld let the quene his suster to purchas for her selfe frendis.

203 1560.  Whitehorne, Machiavel’s Art of Warre, 90. Some haue vsed to deuide the enemies force, by lettyng him to enter into their countrie.

204 1671.  H. M., trans. Erasm. Colloq., 43. I pray him not to let his pretious bloud to be shed for me in vain.

205 a. 1677.  Barrow, Serm. Wisdom, Wks. 1687, I. 4. It will not let external mischances … to produce an inward sense which is beyond their natural efficacy.

206 1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. iv. § 26. 437. Why does he let so many other Gods to do nothing at all?

207 1713.  Steele, Englishm., No. 17. 186. He was one of those mad Folks who are let to go abroad.

208 1812.  Moore, in Mem. (1853), I. 266. I never am let to write half so much as I wish.

209 a. 1866.  Keble, Lett. Spir. Counsel (1870), 201. If they be indulged and let to run wild.

210   c.  with ellipsis of the infinitive.

211 a. 1550.  Christis Kirke Gr., iv. He wald haif lufit, scho wald not lat him.

212 1681.  Dryden, Sp. Fryar, V. 77. My dear, dear Lord Remember me; speak, Raymond, will you let him?

213 1700.  Penn, in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem., IX. 8. We are as well as the heat will let us.

214 1853.  Lytton, My Novel, I. xiii. I am very much obliged to my father for letting me.

215 1892.  M. Morris, Montrose, ix. 172. A smoother and gentler declivity, by which they might march directly down upon Montrose’s left flank—if Montrose would let them.

216   † d.  absol. To allow, give permission. Obs.

217 1567.  Satir. Poems Reform., vii. 95. Sum douts … of quhilk rycht faine, Gif laser lat, I wald resoluit be.

218 1725.  Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., I. ii. The maist thrifty man could never get A well-stor’d room, unless his wife wad let.

219   13.  To cause. Now only in to let (a person) know = to inform (of something).

220   In early use, often with ellipsis of an indefinite personal object, so that the active infinitive has virtually assumed a passive sense; cf. G. lassen.

221 c. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist., III. xiv. [xviii.] (MS. Ca.). He sette scole, & on þære he let cnihtas læran.

222 a. 1123.  O. E. Chron., an. 1102. He let þær toforan castelas ʓemakian.

223 c. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 221. Se almihti sceappende … hi alle … let befallen on þat ece fer þe ham ȝearcod was.

224 c. 1200.  Ormin, 6362. To letenn swingenn himm.

225 c. 1205.  Lay., 586. He hine leatte wel witen.

226 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 54. Al þus þe holi Gost lette writen one boc uor to warnie wummen of hore fol eien.

227 c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., I. 14/457. He liet … maken him king of al is fader lond.

228 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 541. Ibured he was in londone þat he let verst rere.

229 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 2171. Lete wite swiþe at þe kichen weþer þei misse any skinnes.

230 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., I. vi. 15 (Harl. MS.). He lete make a proclamacion þorȝ all his Empire.

231 1490.  Caxton, Eneydos, vi. 24. Ye thynges that they desireden to late be knowen to theyr frendis.

232 1530.  Palsgr., 607/2. I lette one to wyte, je sinne.

233 1589.  Cooper, Admon., 125. They were let to vnderstande, what plots and meanes were made.

234 1602.  Shaks., Ham., IV. vi. 11. If your name be Horatio, as I am let to know it is.

235 1630.  Ld. Dorchester, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. III. 260. To let the Ambassador know this Doctor may returne as hee is come.

236 1706.  Pope, Lett. to Wycherley, 10 April. Pray let me know your mind in this, for I am utterly at a loss.

237 1781.  C. Johnston, Hist. Juniper Jack, II. IV. v. 230. On my arrival at her house, I was not let to wait long before I was summoned to her presence.

238 1794.  Burns, ‘O saw ye my dear.’ She lets thee to wit that she has thee forgot.

239 1829.  Scott, Tales Grandfather, Ser. III. lxxxiv. (1841), 446/2. I will let them know that they are the King’s subjects, and must likewise submit to me.

240 1883.  Manch. Exam., 7 Nov., 5/1. There was always some body of Churchmen which disliked them, and took every opportunity of letting them know it.

241   14.  The imperative with sb. or pronoun as obj. often serves as an auxiliary, forming the equivalent of a first or third person of the vb. which follows in the infinitive.

242   The transition to this use from senses 12 and 13 may be seen in instances such as quot. 1423 below, in which let may be taken either in its ordinary sense, expressing a request addressed to a person, or in its function as an auxiliary.

243 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 498. Lat me ta the state on me, And bring this land out of thyrllage.

244 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Man of Law’s T., 855. Lat vs stynte of Custance but a throwe, And speke we of the Romayn Emperour.

245 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., xcix. Vnto ȝoure grace lat now ben acceptable My pure request.

246 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, IV. ii. Lete vs set vpon hym or day.

247 1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, xix. 49. Latt every man say quhat he will.

248 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), D iij. Leat vs call to memorie, the princes of times past.

249 1535.  Coverdale, Song 3 Child., 52. O let the earth speake good of the Lorde: yee lett it prayse him.

250 1583.  Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 102. Let it be granted that they are most necessarie.

251 1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., V. ii. 228. If you denie to dance, let’s hold more chat.

252 1669.  Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., V. 84. Let there be an hole about an Inch deep, which shall serve to Prime it with Powder-dust.

253 1707.  Addison, Pres. St. War, Misc. Wks. 1830, III. 222. Let her wealth be what it will.

254 1742.  Richardson, Pamela, II. 300. But come, I must love him! Let’s find him out.

255 1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, xii. Let us begone from this place.

256 1875.  Jevons, Money (1878), 254. Let us suppose that there is a town which is able to support two banks.

257   † b.  Occasionally the nominative has been incorrectly used for the objective before the infinitive.

258 1634.  Malory’s Arthur, IV. iii. Let we [1485 lete vs] hold us together till it be day.

259 1647.  T. Hill, Paul (1648), A Letter a ij. Finally, let you and I counsell, encourage, watch over, and pray much one for another.

260 c. 1650.  Chevy Chase (Percy MS.), xxiii. Let thou and I the battell trye.

261 1795.  Southey, Joan of Arc, VII. 424. Awhile Let thou and I withdraw.

262 1875.  Dasent, Vikings, III. 131. Let thou and all Bui’s men do their best.

263   c.  with ellipsis of go. (Very common in Shaks.; now arch.)

264 1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., III. i. 95. Let vs to the Tyger all to dinner. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., IV. ii. 152. Ile throw’t into the Creeke Behinde our Rocke, and let it to the Sea.

265 1634.  Milton, Comus, 599. But com let’s on.

266 1638.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (ed. 2), 219. Let us now into the Towne.

267 1791.  Cowper, Iliad, VI. 505. Then let me to the tomb, my best retreat, When thou art slain.

268 1820.  Scott, Ivanhoe, i. Let us home ere the storm begins to rage.

269 1822.  Shelley, Faust, II. 326. When one dance ends another is begun; Come, let us to it.

270   III.  To behave, appear, think.

271   † 15.  intr. To behave, comport oneself; to have (a particular) behavior or appearance; to make as though, to pretend. Also with cognate obj. to let lates (cf. ON. láta látum). Obs.

272 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Luke xx. 20. Ða sendun hiʓ mid searwun þa ðe riht-wise leton [Hatton Gosp. lætenn; Vulg. qui se justos simularent].

273 a. 1023.  Wulfstan, Hom., lvii. (1883), 298. He … læt him eaðelice ymbe þæt.

274 c. 1200.  Ormin, 1296. Bule lateþþ modiliȝ, & bereþþ upp hiss hæfedd.

275 c. 1220.  Bestiary, 429. He lat he ne wile us noȝt biswike.

276 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 2168. He let he knew hem noȝt.

277 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 12496 (Cott.). Þe late þai thoru þe cite let. Ibid., 14608 (Gött.). Als wittles men sli late þai lete.

278 a. 1310.  in Wright, Lyric P., xv. 49. Lord, that hast me lyf tolene, such lotes lef me leten!

279 a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter lxxvii. 12. Þai let as þai armyd þaim to stand wiþ god.

280 a. 1350.  St. Laurence, 137, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 114. He saw þam al lat sarili.

281 a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 3832. Letande alles a lyone, he lawnches theme thorowe.

282 c. 1400.  Ywaine & Gaw., 1809. Sho lete als sho him noght had sene.

283 1461.  Paston Lett., II. 9. Sche letteth as thow sche wyst not where he were.

284 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, XI. 502. Wallace assayed at all placis about, Leit as he wald at ony place brek out.

285 1508.  Dunbar, Tua Mariit Wemen, 228. I cast on him a crabbit E … And lettis it is a luf-blenk.

286 1529.  Rastell, Pastyme, Hist. Brit. (1811), 103. Vortyger … letid as thoughe he had been wroth with that deede.

287 1787.  Grose, Prov. Gloss., Suppl., Leeten, you Pretend to be. Chesh. You are not so mad as you leeten you.

288   † 16.  To think (highly, lightly, much, etc.) of (occas. by, to, OE. embe). To let well of: to be glad of, welcome. Obs.

289 c. 1000.  Inst. Polity, c. 6, in Thorpe, Laws, II. 310. Eala fela is … þæra þe … embe bletsunga oððe unbletsunga leohtlice lætað.

290 a. 1200.  Moral Ode, 260. Þet lutel let of godes borde, and godes worde.

291 c. 1200.  Ormin, 3750. Þatt te birrþ … lætenn swiþe unnorneliȝ & litell off þe sellfenn.

292 c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 33. Ȝif þu him muche luuest & he let lutel to þe.

293 c. 1325.  Metr. Hom., 43. He … lates of pouer men hetheli.

294 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 195. So wele it was of leten.

295 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. XI. 29. Luytel is he loued or leten bi.

296 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XII. 250. Thai leit of ws lichtly.

297 a. 1400.  Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS., 88. Þare was na lyueande lede he lete mare by.

298 c. 1400.  Ywaine & Gaw., 2007. So wele the lyon of him lete.

299 c. 1430.  Syr Gener. (Roxb.), 6764. He saw comyng Nathanael, He lete therof right wel.

300 1496.  Dives & Paup. (W. de W.), VI. x. 247/2. Adam and Eue … well lete of themselfe byfore they ete of the tree.

301 c. 1600.  Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 1436. Quod Danger, ‘Let not licht.’

302   † 17.  trans. with complement. To regard as. Also with obj. and inf., or clause: To consider to be, that (a person or thing) is. Obs.

303 c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., III. i. § 5. Þæt hi hi selfe leton æʓþer ʓe for heane ʓe for unwræste.

304 a. 1100.  O. E. Chron., an. 1097. Maniʓe men leton ꝥ hit cometa wære.

305 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 125. He let hit unleflich and ne lefde hit noht.

306 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 130. [Heo] leteð al nouht wurð þet heo wel doð.

307 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 19524. Godds virtu or gret prophet, Or angel elles þai him let.

308 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., II. pr. iii. 25 (Camb. MS.). Thow shalt nat wylne to leten thi self a wrecche.

309 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XV. 5. Somme … leten me for a lorel.

310 c. 1420.  Wyntoun, Chron., VIII. xxx. 4556. Inglis man … gert his folk wyth mekil mayne Ryot halyly the cwntré; And lete, that all hys awyne suld be.

311 c. 1450.  Holland, Howlat, 907. Thus leit he no man his peir.

312   † b.  absol. To think. Obs.

313 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 105. Ech god giue … cumeð of heuene dunward … þeh þe unbileffulle swo ne lete.

314 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 288/2. Laatyn, wenyn, or demyn. Ibid., 289/1. Latyn, or demyn in word, or hert.

315 c. 1470.  Harding, Chron., LIV. ii. Nothyng is more redy for to mete Then couetous and falshode as man lete.

316   IV.  Phraseological combinations.

317   * with adj. as complement.

318   18.  Let alone. (In OE. also lǽtan án, ME. † let one.)

319   † a.  To leave (a person) in solitude. Obs.

320 13[?].  Guy Warw. (A.), 525. Þe leches gon, & lete Gij one, Þat makeþ wel michel mone.

321 a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 1828. Þen lete þe lord þam allane & went till his fest.

322   b.  To abstain from interfering with or paying attention to (a person or thing), abstain from doing (an action). To let well alone: see WELL.

323 c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past., xxxiii. 226. Læt ðonne an ðæt ʓefeoht swæ openlice sume hwile.

324 a. 1400[?].  Cursor M., 2898 (Fairf.). Sibbe and spoused ȝe lete an [Cott. tak yee nan].

325 c. 1483.  Earl Rivers, Lett., in Gairdner, Life Rich. III. (1878), App. B. 395. Take hede to the vice that Maundy makes, and loke yef the foundacion and the wallis be sufficiaunt … than lete hym alone with his worke.

326 1530.  Palsgr., 607/1. Let that alone, laissés cela.

327 1576.  Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 269. The corrupt natures of women, if they be let alone to live at libertie.

328 1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., II. iv. 95. Let them alone awhile, and then open the doore. Ibid. (1601), Twel. N., II. iii. 145. For Monsieur Maluolio, let me alone with him.

329 1611.  Bible, 2 Kings xxiii. 18. Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone.

330 1667.  Pepys, Diary, 30 April. So home … to my accounts, and finished them … they being grown very intricate, being let alone for two months.

331 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 57, ¶ 5. I would advise all my Female Readers … to let alone all Disputes of this Nature.

332 1830.  Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), I. 293. Why not avoid all this, as Napoleon might have done, by letting well alone?

333 1838.  Dickens, O. Twist, v. Why don’t you let the boy alone?

334 1884.  Rider Haggard, Dawn, xix. He is gentle as a lamb, if only he is let alone.

335 1886.  Manch. Exam., 4 Nov., 5/6. It was best to let them alone to think quietly over their own position.

336   c.  absol.

337 a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 2688. Nay, leue, lat ane [Dubl. MS. lett be].

338 a. 1592.  Greene, Geo. a Greene (1599), E 1 b. For his other qualities, I let alone.

339 1891.  H. Jones, Browning as Philos. Teacher, ii. 45. There is given to men the largest choice to do or to let alone, at every step in life.

340   d.  colloq. in imper.: Let me (him, etc.) alone to (do so and so) = I (he, etc.) may be trusted to do, etc. Also const. for, † and in early use ellipt.

341 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 4372. Lete me allone, mi lef swete frende, anoie þe na more.

342 [1413.  Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton), I. i. (1859), 2. Lete me alone therfore, to do that my ryght is; for nothing skilfully may lette me therof.]

343 1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., III. iv. 201. Let me alone for swearing.

344 1681.  Dryden, Sp. Fryar, IV. 48. Let me alone to accuse him afterwards.

345 1843.  Dickens, Chr. Carol, iv. Let the charwoman alone to be the first.

346   e.  The imperative let alone, or the pres. pple. used absol., is used colloq. with the sense ‘not to mention.’ (The obj., whether sb. or clause, in this use follows the adj.)

347 1816.  Jane Austen, Lett. (1884), II. 263. We shall have no bed in the house … for Charles himself—let alone Henry.

348 1843.  Fr. A. Kemble, Rec. Later Life, III. 33. Going out of town is very agreeable to me on my own account, letting alone my rejoicing for my children.

349 1853.  Trench, Proverbs, 98. It … declares that honesty, let alone that it is the right thing, is also … the wisest.

350 1892.  Guardian, 20 Jan., 86/1. It is hard to get a gardener who can prune a gooseberry-bush, let alone raise a cucumber.

351   f.  as sb.; now only attrib. in the sense of ‘laisser-aller.’

352 1605.  Shaks., Lear, V. iii. 79. Gon. Meane you to enioy him? Alb. The let alone lies not in your good will.

353 1826.  Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. II. (1863), 298. By dint of practising the let-alone system.

354 1859.  Smiles, Self-Help, xii. (1860), 325. The old let-alone proprietors.

355 1873.  H. Spencer, Stud. Sociol. (1882), 351. Such a let-alone policy is eventually beneficial.

356   19.  Let loose. To liberate, set free; now chiefly, a fierce animal or some destructive agency. Also, † to relax, loose (one’s hold, control), slacken (a bridle); † to abandon (an opinion). † Rarely intr. to give way to.

357 1530.  Palsgr., 607/2. I let lose, je mets au large.… Lette lose your houndes, we shall go hunte the foxe.

358 1576.  Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 286. Not letting loose the bridle of libertie to his concupiscence.

359 1582–8.  Hist. James VI. (1804), 286. It hes not bein the custome of England to let louse onie grip that they haue hade of Scotland at ony tyme.

360 1597.  T. Beard, Theatre God’s Judgem. (1612), 430. Their tongues are let loosse to opprobrious speeches.

361 1610.  Shaks., Temp., II. ii. 36. I doe now let loose my opinion.

362 1611.  Bible, Gen. xlix. 21. Naphtali is a hinde let loose.

363 1646.  Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. x. 38. God intendeth only the care of the species or common natures, but letteth loose the guard of individualls.

364 1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 155. Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire?

365 1667.  Causes Decay Chr. Piety, i. ¶ 1. If we should so far let loose to speculation, as to forget our experience.

366 1683.  Burnet, trans. More’s Utopia, 136. When their Enemies … have let themselves loose into an irregular Pursuit.

367 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 123, ¶ 1. He was let loose among the Woods as soon as he was able to ride on Horseback.

368 1821.  Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. Old & New Schoolmaster. He can no more let his intellect loose in Society, than the other can his inclinations.

369 1836.  W. Irving, Astoria, II. 43. Like so many bedlamites or demoniacs let loose.

370 1877.  C. Geikie, Christ, lvii. (1879), 696. Fierce wrath will he let loose on this nation.

371   ** with a verb in the infinitive.

372   20.  Let be (dial. let-a-be; † also contracted labee, labbe).

373   a.  To leave undisturbed, not to meddle with; to abstain from doing (an action); to leave off, cease from; = let alone, 18 b. † Also const. inf.

374 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 57. Let þu þet uuele beon.

375 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3726. Leateð ben swilc wurdes ref.

376 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 20271. Lat be weping, it helps noght.

377 13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1840. Lettez be your bisinesse.

378 c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 475. Lat be thyn arguynge Ffor loue ne wele nat Countyrpletyd be.

379 c. 1425.  Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 2070. Take therof the best & let the worst be.

380 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, XXI. iv. Syr late hym be … for he is vnhappy.

381 1513.  Douglas, Æneis, IV. vi. 159. With thi complayntis … Lat be to vex me.

382 c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S. T. S.), iii. 1. Luvaris, lat be the frennessy of luve.

383 1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, V. i. 207. Soft you, let me be, plucke vp my heart, and be sad.

384 1641.  Milton, Animadv., Wks. 1738, I. 10. Let be your prayer, ask not Impossibilities.

385 1700.  Dryden, Theodore & Honoria, 287. ‘Back on your lives! let be,’ said he, ‘my prey.’

386 1822.  Shelley, Faust, II. 383. Let it be … pass on.

387 1884.  W. C. Smith, Kildrostan, 75. I do not understand Why you should harp on Ina. Let her be.

388 1896.  A. E. Housman, Shropshire Lad, xxxiv. Oh, sick I am to see you, will you never let me be?

389   † b.  To cease to speak of; also intr. Const. of.

390 c. 1205.  Lay., 30455. Lette we nu beon Cadwaðlan and ga we to Edwine aȝan.

391 c. 1430.  Syr Tryam., 127. Of the quene let we bee.

392   c.  absol.

393 c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., II. 206. Læt beon ealne dæʓ.

394 a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 1735. Lateþ beo and beoþ isome.

395 c. 1320.  Seuyn Sag. (W.), 1757. Lat ben, moder, for hit is nede.

396 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Pard. T., 619. Lat be quod he, it shal nat be.

397 1450–80.  trans. Secreta Secret., 18. God saith him silf … ‘lete be, lete be, for in me is the vengeaunce, and y shalle quyte it.’

398 c. 1475.  Rauf Coilȝear, 293. ‘Lat be, God forbid,’ the Coilȝear said.

399 1526.  Tindale, Matt. xxvii. 49. Other sayde let be: let vs se whyther Helias wyll come and delyver hym.

400 1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., IV. iv. 6. Ah let be, let be, thou art The Armourer of my heart.

401 1651.  Cleveland, Poems, Sq.-Cap, ii. She replies, good Sir, La-bee, If ever I have a man, Square-cap for mee.

402 1746.  Exmoor Scolding, 306 (E. D. S.). Labbe, labbe, Soze, labbe…. Gi’ o’er, gi o’er.

403 1847.  Tennyson, Princess, VII. 338. I waste my heart in signs: let be.

404 1884.  Child, Ballads, I. 322/2. When Thomas is about to pull fruit … the elf bids him let be.

405 1891.  Athenæum, 21 Feb., 242/2. An interesting revelation of the opinions still held by many persons who do not share the popular contempt of our time for the good old doctrine of Let Be.

406   d.  = let alone, 18 e. Chiefly Sc.

407 1600.  J. Melvill, Diary (Wodrow Soc.), 246. He could skarse sitt, to let be stand on his feet.

408 a. 1653.  Binning, Serm. (1743), 619. These baser things are not worthy of an immortal spirit, let be a spirit who is a partaker of a divine nature.

409 1683.  Dk. Hamilton, 9 June, in Napier, Dundee (1859), I. II. 333. They would scarce give me civil answers, let be to confess a word.

410 1816.  Scott, Antiq., xxxix. She … speaks as if she were a prent book,—let a-be an auld fisher’s wife.

411 1828.  Moir, Mansie Wauch, Prelim. p. vii. Let-a-be this plain truth, another point of argument is [etc.].

412   21.  Let fall.

413   † a.  To put (clothing) on a person. Obs.

414 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4655. Þe kyng… did on ioseph hand þe ring; And clahtyng on him lette he fall.

415   b.  To lower (a bridge, a portcullis, a veil); Naut. to ‘drop’ an anchor; also (see quot. 1867).

416 c. 1500.  Melusine, xxvi. 252. Clerevauld … lete fall the bridge.

417 1508.  Dunbar, Gold. Targe, 139. Than ladyes fair lete fall thair mantillis grene.

418 1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot. (1858), II. 13. Tha … Drew draw briggis, and lute portculȝeis fall.

419 1594.  [see FALL v. 4].

420 1627.  Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., ix. 38. Let fall your fore-saile.

421 1638.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (ed. 2), 12. We let fall our Anchor.

422 1784.  Cowper, Task, IV. 248. In letting fall the curtain of repose On bird and beast.

423 1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Let fall! The order to drop a sail loosed from its gaskets, in order to set it.

424   c.  † To allow (one’s anger) to abate (obs.); to allow to lapse, proceed no further with, ‘drop’ (a business). ? Obs.

425 c. 1430.  Syr Gener. (Roxb.), 3238. His angre somdele lete he fall.

426 1594.  O. B., Questions Profit. Concernings, 31 b. It seemed better into him to let fall his reuenge.

427 1621.  Elsing, Debates Ho. Lords (Camden), 70. They lett the buissiness of Flood be lett fallen, and they to proceed no further in yt.

428 1677.  Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 66. Some progress was made in the work, but within a small while after the Act passed it was let fall again.

429 1692.  R. L’Estrange, Josephus, V. i. (1733), 102. Having lost their Labour without making any Discovery, they let the Business fall.

430 a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time (1724), I. 453. Seimour’s election was let fall: But the point was settled, that the right of electing was in the House, and that the confirmation [by the King] was a thing of course.

431   † d.  To lower (a price). Obs. rare–1.

432 c. 1475.  Rauf Coilȝear, 833. Sa laith thay war … to lat thair price fall.

433   e.  To ‘drop,’ utter (a word, a hint), esp. carelessly or inadvertently.

434 1585.  A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 51. The least word … that you let fall out of your overflowing venemous mouthes.

435 1676.  Dryden, Aureng-z., II. i. 27. My grief let unbecoming speeches fall.

436 1710.  Steele & Addison, Tatler, No. 256, ¶ 4. Some Expressions which the Welshman let fall in asserting the Antiquity of his family.

437 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., x. II. 627. Heneage Finch let fall some expressions which were understood to mean that he wished a negotiation to be opened with the King.

438 1890.  Lippincott’s Mag., March, 412. Vague hints as to a life-elixir let fall by the dying officer whom he slew.

439   f.  To shed (tears).

440 1816.  Scott, Jock of Hazeldean. But aye she loot the tears down fa’ For lock of Hazeldean.

441 1822.  Hazlitt, Table-t., II. ii. 20. He … lets fall some drops of natural pity over hapless infirmity.

442   g.  Of a solution, etc.: To deposit.

443 1838.  T. Thomson, Chem. Org. Bodies, 688. On cooling it lets fall a yellow matter similar to wax.

444   h.  Geom. To draw (a perpendicular) to a line from a point outside it. Const. on, upon.

445 1667.  [see FALL v. 4].

446 1774.  M. Mackenzie, Maritime Surv., 14. Find its Latitude, by letting fall the Perpendicular S b on the true Meridian drawn through X.

447 1825.  J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 9. The length of perpendiculars let fall upon the lines of direction.

448   Let fly: see FLY v.1 10.

449   22.  Let go.

450   a.  trans. To allow to escape; to set at liberty; to lose one’s hold of; to relax (one’s hold); to drop (an anchor).

451 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 16330. Þe pouste es min to spill or latte ga?

452 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, ii. (Paulus), 173. Nero … þane leit paule a quhill ga.

453 c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. Fame, II. 443. He … lat the reynes gon Of his hors.

454 c. 1440.  York Myst., xxxii. 254. What, wolde þou þat we lete hym ga?

455 1530.  Palsgr., 607/2. Let go your capestan, and some be lyke to have a knocke.

456 1581.  Act 23 Eliz., c. 10 § 4. So as they … do presentlye loose and let goe everye Feasaunte and Partridge so taken.

457 1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., V. iv. 60. Ruffian: let goe that rude vnciuill touch.

458 1629.  Earle, Microcosm., lxvi. (Arb.), 90. He … will not let the least hold goe, for feare of losing you.

459 1665.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 150. Letting go their hold they were killed by the fall.

460 1704.  Newton, Optics, III. (1721), 356. A Solution of Mercury in Aqua fortis being poured upon Iron, Copper, Tin or Lead, dissolves the Metal, and lets go the Mercury.

461 1727.  Boyer, Fr. Dict., s.v. Go, To let go the Anchor.

462 1807.  T. Thomson, Chem. (ed. 3), II. 214. The oxygen of the acid combines with the carbon … and at the same time lets go a quantity of caloric.

463 1849.  Tait’s Mag., XVI. 308/1. The Dauphin let go his father’s hand. Ibid. (1850), XVII. 26/1. He requested the pipe-seller to let go his hold.

464 1894.  Clark Russell, in My First Bk., 34. A big ship … let go her anchor in the Downs.

465   b.  intr. = to let go one’s hold. Const. of.

466 c. 1420.  Anturs of Arth., 470 (Douce MS.). ‘Let go,’ quod sir Gawayne, ‘god stond with þe riȝte.’

467 1605.  Shaks., Lear, IV. vi. 241. Let go Slaue, or thou dy’st.

468 1712.  J. James, trans. Le Blond’s Gardening, 174. A Spring that lets go immediately, and shuts the mouth of the Trap.

469 1851.  Thackeray, Eng. Humourists, Steele (1853), 112. Hill let go of his prey sulkily.

470 1889.  Spectator, 9 March, 331/2. If once the heart lets go of the faith to which it used to cling, the old rags and tatters of observance on which it still keeps its grip fastened, will of of little use except in persuading it that a door of escape is still open.

471   c.  To dismiss from one’s thoughts; to abandon, give up; to cease to attend to or control.

472 1535.  Coverdale, 1 Sam. ii. 3. Let go youre greate boostinge of hye thynges.

473 1550.  Crowley, Epigr., 110. Such … do turne into the alehouse, and let the church go.

474 1594.  Marlowe & Nashe, Dido, V. ii. G 2. Iarbus, talke not of Æneas, Let him goe.

475 a. 1600.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., VII. ii. § 3. To let go the name, and come to the very nature of that thing which is thereby signified.

476 1666.  Pepys, Diary, 22 July. I finding that accounts but a little let go can never be put in order by strangers.

477 1868.  Tennyson, Lucretius, 113. Letting his own life go.

478 1878.  Mary Blake, in Scribner’s Mag., XV. 859/1. But do only what is imperative, and let the rest go.

479 1886.  Sir F. Pollock, Oxford Lect., etc. iv. (1890), 107. Let go nothing that becomes a man of bodily or of mental excellence.

480   † d.  To fire off (ordnance), discharge (missiles).

481 c. 1500.  Three Kings’ Sons, 45. All suche ordenaunce as they had they lete go at ones.

482 1580.  Sidney, Ps. VII. xii. Thou … ready art to lett thyne arrowes go.

483 a. 1670.  Spalding, Troub. Chas. I. (Bannatyne Club), I. 109. Ane sudden fray … throw occasion of ane shot rakelesslie lettin go.

484   e.  To cease to restrain; to allow to take its course unchecked. To let oneself go: in recent use, to give free vent to one’s enthusiasm.

485 1526.  Tindale, Acts xxvii. 15. When the shippe was caught, and coulde not resist the wynde, we lett her goo and drave with the wedder.

486 1535.  Coverdale, Job vi. 9. That he wolde let his honde go, and hew me downe.

487 1890.  Spectator, 1 Nov., 615/1. Once, and once only, does he [Alexander Hosie] let himself ‘go,’ and then not till he has threatened to throw down his pen.

488 1893.  National Observer, 1 April, 488/2. The multitude is taking its pleasure, is letting itself go.

489   f.  as sb. An act of letting go.

490 1631.  T. Powell, Tom All Trades, 31. Shipping is subject ever, at the let goe, to bee stayed.

491 1702.  in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. III. 7. [A dog match] for a Guinea each Dog, five let-goes out of hand,… which goes fairest and furthest in wins all.

492 1885.  Cholmondeley-Pennell, Fishing, 84. Catastrophes … averted only by an ignominious let-go of the gaff.

493   † 23.  Let pass. Obs. as a combination; for to let (a person or thing) pass, see PASS v. trans. To let slip, miss (an opportunity); to pass by, neglect; to discontinue (a practice).

494 1530.  Palsgr., 608/1. I lette passe a thyng, I let it go, or passe on.

495 1537.  trans. Latimer’s Serm. bef. Convocation, A viij b. I lette passe to speake of moche other suche lyke countrefayte doctrine.

496 1577.  Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619), 303. Although he let passe the vnsatiable tyrannie practised in the time of Diocletian, yet ceassed he not altogether from persecuting.

497 1598.  Grenewey, Tacitus’ Ann., II. xviii. (1622), 59. Letting passe the Ilands [to] take wide and open sea.

498 1648.  Hamilton Papers (Camden), 164. That a people so wise … can let passe ane opertunitie of so much credit and interest.

499 1667.  Milton, P. L., IX. 479. Let me not let pass Occasion which now smiles. Ibid. (1671), P. R., II. 233. I shall let pass No advantage.

500   24.  Let run. Naut. (See quot. 1867.)

501 1748.  Anson’s Voy., II. iv. 163. Having let run their sheets and halyards.

502 1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), Faire courir,… to let run, or over-haul any rope.

503 1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Let run, or let go by the run, cast off at once.

504   25.  Let slip. (See also SLIP v.)

505   a.  trans. To unfasten what is tied; to loose (a knot). ? Obs.

506 1526.  Tindale, Luke v. 4. Cary vs in to the depe and lett slippe thy nett to make a draught.

507 1530.  Palsgr., 608/1. I lette slyppe a thyng that is tyed fast.

508   b.  To liberate, loose (a hound) from the leash in order to begin the chase. Also absol.

509 1530.  Palsgr., 608/1. I let slyppe, as a hunter dothe his grayhoundes out of his leashe.

510 1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., I. i. 278. Before the game’s afoot, thou still let’st slip. Ibid. (1601), Jul. C., III. ii. 273. Cry hauocke, and let slip the Dogges of Warre.

511 1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, II. 186/2. Let slip the Grey-hound.

512 [1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xx. IV. 517. The cry … was that Nottingham had kept his bloodhounds in the leash, but that Trenchard had let them slip.]

513   c.  To allow to escape through carelessness; to miss (an opportunity).

514 1550.  Crowley, Last Trump., 882. Take hede by time, let not slyppe this occasion.

515 1611.  Bible, Heb. ii. 1. We ought to giue the more earnest heede to the things which we haue heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

516 1634.  Milton, Comus, 743. If you let slip time.

517 1730.  Berkeley, Lett., Wks. 1871, IV. 176. I would not let slip the opportunity of returning you an answer.

518 1776.  Paine, Com. Sense (1791), 61. Most nations have let slip the opportunity.

519   *** With adverbs.

520   † 26.  Let abroad. To allow to go abroad; to permit or cause to ‘get about.’ Obs.

521 1633.  P. Fletcher, Purple Isl., Ep. Ded. In letting them abroad I desire onely to testifie [etc.].

522 1727.  Pope, etc., Art of Sinking, 76. Small beer … is … vapid and insipid, if left at large and let abroad.

523   † 27.  Let away. Obs.

524   a.  To allow to go away, permit to depart.

525 11[?].  O. E. Chron., an. 1011 (Laud MS.). Ælmær abbot hi lætan aweʓ.

526 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5858. Ne i ne wil lat þe folk a-wai. Ibid., 6217. Quat ha we don, þat we let þus þis folk awai?

527 1826.  Moore, in Mem. (1854), V. 37. [I] consented on condition of being let away early to my mother.

528   b.  (a) To omit; to drop (a letter in a word). (b) To put away or aside; to have done with.

529 a. 1000.  in Thorpe, Dipl. Ævi Sax., 289. Ða let he þone aþ aweʓ.

530 c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gram., xxviii. (Z.), 174. Ðas oðre lætaþ ðone n aweʓ on sopinum.

531 a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 177. Lete we a wei þeos cheste.

532 c. 1275.  Moral Ode, 344 (Jesus MS.). Þeos leteþ awei al heore wil, for godes hestes to fulle.

533   † 28.  Let by. Sc. = let alone 18 e.

534 1577.  Lochleven to Morton, in Robertson, Hist. Scot., App. 72. Your own particulars [= personal friends] are not contented lat by the rest.

535   29.  Let down.

536   a.  To lower (a drawbridge, portcullis, steps of a carriage, etc.); in restricted sense, to cause or allow to descend by gradual motion or short stages, Also occas. intr. for passive.

537 1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1140 (Laud MS.). Me læt hire dun on niht of þe tur mid rapes.

538 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 19844. A mikel linnen clath four squar Laten dun.

539 c. 1450.  Lonelich, Grail, xxxvi. 367. So wenten they Into the towr … and leten hym down ful Softelye.

540 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, I. 90. Leit breggis doun, and portcules thai drew.

541 1530.  Palsgr., 607/1. Come let me downe from my horse.

542 1539.  Tonstall, Serm. Palm Sund. (1823), 55. A vysion of a shete latten downe from heauen.

543 1662.  J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 35. They would have let down the Anchor.

544 1664.  Evelyn, Kal. Hort., in Sylva, etc. (1729), 207. Letting the Tree down into a Pit of four or five Foot Depth.

545 1737.  trans. Le Comte’s Mem. & Rem. China, i. 12. We were let down into the hold.

546 1819.  Shelley, Cenci, IV. iii. 59. The drawbridge is let down.

547 1840.  Dickens, Barn. Rudge, liii. A passing carriage stopped, and a lady’s hand let down the glass. Ibid. (1844), Mart. Chuz., liii. Draymen letting down big butts of beer into a cellar.

548 1853.  Lytton, My Novel, I. xii. Lights were brought in, the curtains let down.

549 1864.  Mrs. H. Wood, Trevlyn Hold, I. 313. A large board or table which would put up or let down at will.

550 1881.  Besant & Rice, Chapl. of Fleet, I. 89. Throwing the door wide open with a fling, and letting down the steps.

551   fig.  1659.  Gentl. Calling, i. (1679), 6. We can let down our thoughts but one step lower, and that is into the bottomless pit.

552   b.  To lower in position, intensity, strength or † value; to depress; to abase, humble. Also, to disappoint.

553 1486–1504.  Lett., in Denton, Eng. in 15th c. (1888), 318, note D. Yff ye suld support a synglere man to dryue yowr tenants owt and lett downe yowre tenandres [i.e., tenantries] as they doo.

554 1681.  Dryden, Sp. Fryar, V. ii. 74. Every slackn’d fiber drops its hold, Like Nature letting down the Springs of Life.

555 1747.  Chesterf., Lett. (1792), I. cxxviii. 343. Nothing in the world lets down a character more than that wrong turn.

556 a. 1791.  Wesley, Serm. lxii. 15, Wks. 1811, IX. 161. He lets himself down to our capacity.

557 1795.  Burke, Lett. to W. Elliot, Wks. VII. 348. When I found that the great advocate, Mr. Erskine, condescended to resort to these bumper toasts … I was rather let down a little.

558 1798.  Mad. D’Arblay, Diary (1846), VI. 162. Poor M. de Narbonne! how will he be shocked and let down!

559 1800.  Mrs. Hervey, Mourtray Fam., I. 149. This cold laconic note, that, at once, let down all Emma’s hopes of surprising her friend agreeably.

560 1832.  Examiner, 790/1. Nothing lets down a smart hit so lamentably as a hitching, verse or hobbling rhyme.

561 1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xviii. IV. 187. He was … gently let down from his high position.

562   † c.  To reduce (overfed beef or mutton) by bleeding the animal before it is killed. Sc. Obs.

563 1555.  Burgh Rec. Peebles (1872), 215. That all flescheouris bring thair flesche to the mercat croce … and that thai blaw nane thairof, nor yit let it doune.

564 1574.  Burgh Rec. Glasgow (1876), I. 26. That thair be na muttoun scoirit on the bak … nor yit lattin doun before [i.e., bled at the breast].

565   d.  techn. (a) To lower the temper of (metal). (b) See quot. 1886.

566 1677.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 57. If your Steel be too hard … you must let it down (as Smiths say) that is, make it softer, by Tempering it.

567 1875.  Knight, Dict. Mech., Letting-down, the process of lowering the temper of a steel tool or spring which [etc.].

568 1886.  W. A. Harris, Techn. Dict. Fire Insur., s.v., Shellac and other resins, and similar substances, are said to be ‘let-down’ when they are, by means of spirit solvents, reduced or dissolved ready for use. The solvent itself is also known as ‘let-down.’

569   e.  To be let down: (of the claws of a hound) to be in contact with the ground. Also, the sinew of a horse, = ‘to be broken down’ (see BREAK v. 50 d).

570 1684.  Lond. Gaz., No. 1987/4. She is a pretty large Hound, very handsome, all her Claws are let down of one of her fore feet.

571 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1749), I. 338. If the Horse be, what the Jockies call, let down in the Sinew … such a Horse can never be made so strong in that Part, but a hard Course, or Running a Race upon hard Ground, will let him down again. Ibid. (1757), II. 271. When a Horse … is quite let down (as the Jockeys call it) the Tendon is quite broken.

572   f.  To be well let down in the girth: (of a horse, also of a hound) to be ‘deep’ in the girth.

573 1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 122. When a Horse is well let down in the Girth, he is a good-winded Nag…. He was a Round barrell’d Horse, and did not look much let down in the Girth.

574   g.  To let (a person) down gently or softly: to treat considerately so as to spare (his) self-respect. colloq.

575 1834.  M. Scott, Cruise Midge, xvi. (1842), 313. By way of letting him down gently, I said nothing.

576 1843.  H. Gavin, Feigned & Factitious Dis., 32. It is always a prudent measure ‘to afford a malingerer an opportunity of giving in,… or, in the language of the hospital, to let him softly down.’

577 1883.  F. M. Crawford, Dr. Claudius, vi. She would let him down easily, so to speak, that there might be no over-tender recollections on his part.

578   h.  Of cows: To yield (milk). dial.

579 1863.  Mrs. Gaskell, Sylvia’s L., xv. She’s a bonny lass, she is; let down her milk, there’s a pretty!

580 1881.  J. P. Sheldon, Dairy Farming, 56/1. All cows will not let down their milk to strangers.

581   † i.  intr. To deliver a blow at. Obs.

582 1640.  trans. Verdere’s Rom. of Rom., III. 219. Taking his curtelas in both his hands, he let down at Rozalmond with such force that [etc.].

583   j.  as sb. An act or instance of ‘letting down.’ (a) a drawback, incident disadvantage; (b) a come-down, a ‘drop’ in circumstances; (c) a disappointment. slang.

584 1768.  Woman of Honor, I. 235. I met with such a let-down.

585 1840.  Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), V. 14. The let-down to what is known as the ‘cottage and cow system,’ has always been, that [etc.].

586 1861.  Times, 17 Sept., 6/4. Here comes another ‘let-down,’ really worse than any before.

587 1866.  Lond. Misc., 3 March, 57/3 (Farmer). I don’t think that’s no little let-down for a cove as has been tip-topper in his time.

588 1894.  ‘J. S. Winter,’ Red-Coats, Amyatt’s Child Fr., i. It would be hard to say positively that any trace of a disappointment—what Arlington called a ‘let-down’—marked his pleasant fresh face.

589   † 30.  Let forth. a. To allow to pass forth or out; to give passage to. b. (See quot. 1573). Obs.

590 1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot. (1858), II. 598. Neuir ane of thame he wald lat furth by.

591 1573.  Baret, Alv., L 292. To Let forth, or make a leasse of a piece of land, foras locitare agellum Ter.

592 a. 1578.  Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 26. Schir James and his brother were lattin furth at the request of the chancellar.

593 1590.  Shaks., Mids. N., V. I. 388. The graues, all gaping wide, Euery one lets forth his spright. Ibid. (1593), Lucr., 1029. To let forth my fowle defiled blood.

594 1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 464. Pricking vines, or other trees … and thereby letting forth gum or tears.

595 1667.  Milton, P. L., VII. 207. Heav’n op’nd wide Her ever during Gates … to let forth The King of Glorie.

596   31.  Let in.

597   a.  To admit, give admittance to (a person), esp. into a dwelling-house; to open the door of a house to; hence refl. to enter the house where one lives, usually by means of a latch-key.

598 c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., II. 382. Petrus cnucode oþ ðæt hi hine inne leton.

599 a. 1240.  Sawles Warde, in Cott. Hom., 257. Let him in seið wit ȝef godd wule he bringeð us gleade tidinges.

600 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 18096. Hell … open up þin yates wide, Lete in þe king, wit-vten bide.

601 a. 1366[?].  Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 700. She the dore of that gardyn Hadde opened, and me leten in.

602 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), ii. 6. Seth went forth to Paradys; bot the aungel wald noȝt late him in.

603 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., cxxv. The maister portare … frely lete vs in, vnquestionate.

604 1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., IV. (Percy Soc.), 21. At the chambre in ryght ryche araye We were let in.

605 a. 1550.  Freiris of Berwik, 154, in Dunbar’s Poems (1893), 290. His knok scho kend, and did so him in lett.

606 1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. ii. 94. There he must stay vntil the Officer Arise to let him in.

607 1667.  Milton, P. L., VII. 566. Open, ye everlasting Gates … let in The great Creator from his work returnd Magnificent.

608 1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 45, ¶ 1. I was let in at the Back-Gate of a lovely House.

609 1724.  Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), II. 134. And now she thanks the happy time That e’er she loot me in.

610 c. 1815.  Jane Austen, Persuas. (1833), II. ix. 389. Nurse Rooke … was delighted to be in the way to let you in.

611 1889.  J. K. Jerome, Three Men in Boat, 167. George went home again, musing as he walked along, and let himself in.

612 1891.  Nat. Gould, Double Event, 74. I have a latch-key, and I let myself in.

613   b.  To give entrance or admittance to (light, water, air, etc.). Also transf. and fig.

614 1558.  Bp. Watson, Seven Sacram., xviii. 112. So wee maye lette in shame into oure soule.

615 1577.  B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb. (1586), 44. The water may be let in by Trenches when you lyst.

616 1650.  Jer. Taylor, Holy Living, ii. § 6 (1686), 134. The more tender our spirits are made by Religion, the more easie we are to let in grief if the cause be innocent.

617 1685.  Waller, Divine Poems, Last Verses. The Soul’s dark Cottage, batter’d and decay’d, Lets in new Light thro’ chinks that time has made.

618 1697.  Vanbrugh, Æsop, V. 62. A Womans Heart’s to be enter’d forty ways…. An Essenc’d Peruke, and a Sweet Handkerchief; let’s you in at her Nose.

619 1705.  Stanhope, Paraphr., I. 221. Though God do not let in Heaven upon us.

620 1710.  Steele, Tatler, No. 203, ¶ 8. A sashed Roof, which lets in the Sun at all Times.

621 1748.  Anson’s Voy., I. viii. 78. She let in the water at every seam.

622 1819.  Crabbe, T. of Hall, XVI. And fears of sinning let in thoughts of sin.

623 1848.  Clough, Bothie, IX. 96. Half-awake servant-maids … letting-in the air by the doorway.

624 1871.  R. H. Hutton, Ess. (1877), I. 11. Skylights opened to let in upon human nature an infinite dawn from above.

625   c.  To insert into the surface or substance of a thing; see also quot. 1867 (Cf. let into, 11 b.)

626 1575–6.  in Swayne, Churchw. Acc. Sarum (1896), 289. White the mason lettinge in the boltes above the quier dore 6d.

627 1663.  H. Power, Exper. Philos., 97. A Lead-Pipe … into which at the top was let in a short neck’d weather-glass, or bolt-head.

628 1711.  W. Sutherland, Shipbuild. Assist., 26. Let in all the Half-timbers, and then get in your Kelson.

629 1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., To let in, to fix or fit a diminished part of one plank or piece of timber into a score formed in another to receive it, as the ends of the carlings into the beams.

630   d.  To make a way for something to happen; to give rise to. Obs. or arch.

631 1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., III. v. § 19. They pleaded also that the Churlishnesse of the Porter let in this sad Accident, increased by the Indiscretion of those in his own Family.

632 1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), V. 502. The bar or extinguishment of both, by the recovery … lets in the reversion in fee after both.

633 1893.  Sir J. W. Chitty, in Law Times Rep., LXVIII. 430/1. It would … let in all the mischief against which the statute was intended to guard.

634   e.  Of ice, etc.: To give way and allow (a person) to fall through into the water. Hence fig. (colloq.) To involve in loss or difficulty by fraud, financial failure, etc. To let in for (cf. in for, IN adv. 8): to involve in the performance, payment, etc., of.

635 1832.  Examiner, 826/2. The Major … had become security for several friends, who … taxed his friendship too much, by ‘letting him in’ to the amount of the security.

636 1837.  Haliburton, Clockm., Ser. I. vi. An old sea captain, who was once let in for it pretty deep by a man with a broader brim than common.

637 1849.  Alb. Smith, Pottleton Leg., 124. I was so confoundedly let in by the Patent Artificial Flour Company.

638 1873.  Punch, 12 April, 149/1. If we interfere to promote the object, Turkey will infallibly let us in for the cost.

639 1886.  H. W. Lucy, Diary Two Parl., II. 348. A young man to whom nothing is sacred would probably find peculiar pleasure in ‘letting-in’ his own father.

640   f.  intr. To become connected or implicated with. ? University slang.

641 1861.  Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxf., I. i. 14. He has also been good enough to recommend to me many tradesmen … but … I shall make some inquiries before ‘letting in’ with any of them.

642   32.  Let off.

643   † a.  intr. To cease, ‘let be.’ Obs.

644 c. 1392.  Chaucer, Compl. Venus, 52. I so long haue been in youre servyce, Þat for to leet of wol I neuer assente.

645 1422.  trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 182. ‘Lete of,’ he sayde, ‘no man be So hardy to do hym any harme.’

646   b.  To discharge with an explosion. Hence fig. To fire off (a joke, speech, etc.).

647 1714.  Lond. Gaz., No. 5271/2. The Firework … will be let off.

648 1726.  Swift, Gulliver, Lilliput, ii. Charging it [my pistol] only with Powder … I let it off in the Air.

649 1741.  Chesterf., Lett. (1792), I. lxxiv. 206. Instead of saying that tastes are different … you should let off a proverb, and say [etc.].

650 1817.  Brougham, in Parl. Debates, 1873. An occasion for letting off his long meditated speech on that question.

651 1821.  Examiner, 509/2. He let off his puns with great dexterity.

652 1871.  L. Stephen, Playgr. Europe, vi. (1894), 139. It reminds too much of letting off crackers in a cathedral.

653 1876.  Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., V. xxxix. I cannot bear people to keep their minds bottled up for the sake of letting them off with a pop.

654   c.  To allow to go or escape; to excuse from punishment, service, etc. (Cf. 11 b.)

655 1828.  J. W. Croker, Diary, 4 March, in C. Papers (1884), I. xiii. 409. The poor devil had no shirt, and was so humble and penitent that he let him off.

656 1849.  Thackeray, Pendennis, lxx. I will let Clavering off from that bargain.

657 1866.  Mrs. Oliphant, Madonna Mary, I. ii. 25. Hugh, I am tired—I am not able for any more. Let me off for to-day.

658 1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 322. Did you ever hear any one arguing that a murderer or any sort of evil-doer ought to be let off?

659 1890.  Times, 21 March, 3/6. He was let off with an admonition and four strokes with the birch rod.

660   d.  To allow or cause to pass away.

661 1823.  J. Badcock, Dom. Amusem., 21. Cocks … for letting off the sediment.

662   e.  To lease in portions.

663 1852.  Dickens, Bleak Ho., x. The house is let off in sets of chambers.

664 1853.  Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XIV. I. 157. He mowed some worth 3l. and let off the grass of other land at 2l.

665   f.  as sb. (a) A display of festivity, a festive gathering. (b) A part of a property which is ‘let off.’ (c) An outlet (fig.). (d) A failure to utilize some manifest advantage in a game; e.g., in Cricket, the failure on the part of a fielder to get a batsman out when he gives a chance. (e) Weaving. The ‘paying off’ of the yarn from the beam; concr. a contrivance for regulating this; also attrib. as let-off mechanism (Posselt, Techn. Textile Design, 1889).

666 1827.  Scott, Diary, 1 Oct., in Lockhart. I am to set off to-morrow for Ravensworth Castle, to meet the Duke of Wellington; a great let-off, I suppose.

667 1837–40.  Haliburton, Clockm., Ser. II. viii. My old lady … is agoin’ for to give our Arabella … a let off to-night.

668 1888.  Mrs. G. Castle Smith (‘Brenda’), Shepherd’s Darling, xi. 117 (Cent.). Ah, the poor horses! how many a brutal kick and stripe they got these times, just as a let-off for the angry passions of their masters!

669 1893.  Daily News, 19 May, 3/5. At the time of this let-off M. … had scored 102.

670 Mod. Newspaper Advt.  Wine and Spirit Vaults…. Let-offs could pay all rent.

671   33.  Let on. intr. To reveal, divulge, disclose or betray a fact by word or look. Const. to (a person); often with dependent clause. dial. and U.S.

672   App. an absolute use of the phrase in quot. 1637.

673 [1637.  Rutherford, Lett. (1664), xxviii. 67. He … lets a poor soul stand still & knock, & never let it on him that He heareth.]

674 1725.  Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., II. iii. Let nae on what’s past ’Tween you and me.

675 1795.  Burns, ‘Last May a Braw Wooer,’ iii. I never loot on that I kenn’d it, or car’d.

676 1825.  Scott, in Lockhart, lxiv. I was more taken aback with Wright’s epistle than I cared to let on.

677 1848.  Lowell, Biglow P., Poems (1890), II. 109. I don’t make no insinovations, I jest let on I smell a rat.

678 1889.  ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Robbery under Arms, xiv. Don’t go planting in the gully, or some one ’ll think you’re wanted and let on to the police.

679 1893.  Stevenson, Catriona, 225. I … was more wise than to let on.

680   34.  Let out.

681   a.  To give egress to; to cause or allow to go out or escape by an opening, esp. through a doorway (also absol.); to set free, liberate; to release from prison or confinement. † Also intr. (for refl.), to get out into the open. To let the cat out of the bag: see BAG sb. 18.

682 1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1140 (Laud MS.). Sua ð me sculde leten ut þe king of prisun.

683 a. 1240.  Sawles Warde, in Cott. Hom., 247. Wit … cleopeð warschipe forð ant makið hire durewart þe warliche loki hwam ha leote in ant ut.

684 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 263. Þat he ssolde þe noble folc … Oout of seruage lete.

685 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 16814 + 28. Þer-with he thirled his hert, Bothe blode & water oute lett.

686 1382.  Wyclif, Gen. viii. 10. He lete out of the arke a culuer.

687 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 348. Duc Theseus hym leet out of prison.

688 c. 1450.  Merlin, 206. Merlin … seide than to the porter, ‘Lete oute, for it is tyme.’

689 1535.  Coverdale, Isa. xlii. 7. That thou … let out the prysoners, them that syt in darknesse.

690 1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., IV. iii. 98. A Feuer in your bloud why then incision Would let her out in Sawcers.

691 1611.  Bible, Prov. xvii. 14. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water.

692 1633.  P. Fletcher, Purple Isl., XI. i. The early Morn lets out the peeping day.

693 1684.  T. Hockin, God’s Decrees, 215. The ripening of an impostumation to be let out and evacuated by the lance.

694 1692.  Beverley, Disc. Dr. Crisp, 8. Why should we keep our selves and hearers so close muffled up in this thick Atmosphere of time, and not let out more into the open Air of Eternals?

695 c. 1710.  C. Fiennes, Diary (1888), 140. A demy Circle of open pallasadoe, yt lets you out to ye prospect of ye grounds beyond.

696 1715–20.  Pope, Iliad, XII. 168. Till some wide wound lets out their mighty soul.

697 1824–9.  Landor, Imag. Conv., Wks. 1846, II. 48. A slight puncture will let out all the wind in the bladders.

698 1853.  Lytton, My Novel, II. x. Letting themselves out from their large pew under the gallery.

699 1889.  Times (weekly ed.), 20 Dec., 5/4. They might be let out on ticket-of-leave.

700 1889.  G. W. Cable, in Century Mag., Aug., 590/2. High, wide windows that let out between fluted Corinthian pilasters upon the broad open balcony.

701   b.  To let out of: to permit to be absent from.

702 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 22656. Es na man in erth wroght þat agh to lat it vte o thoght [Trin. to lete hit out of his þouȝt].

703 1840.  Thackeray, Catherine, xi. He could not let the money out of his sight.

704   c.  † To ‘let loose’ (one’s tongue) (obs.); to give vent to (anger, etc.).

705 a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 8. Eiþer aȝen oþer swal And let þat uvele mod ut al.

706 1582.  Gosson, Playes Confuted, To the Univ. A 7 b. These they very impudently affirme to be written by me since I had let out my inuectiue against them.

707 a. 1677.  Barrow, Serm., Wks. 1716, I. 340. Letting out their virulent and wanton tongues against him.

708 1685.  Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Matt. v. 21. Whoever lets out this passion of hurtful and uncharitable anger against any man.

709 1853.  Lytton, My Novel, II. x. ‘He is Mr. Egerton’s nephew, and,’ added Randal, ingenuously letting out his thoughts, ‘I am no relation to Mr. Egerton at all.’

710 1873.  ‘Ouida,’ Pascarèl, I. 39. [She] could not forbear letting out her wrath to me.

711   † d.  To set free to (some action), to let loose upon; to allow to go forth freely to (an object). Obs.

712 1613–8.  Daniel, Coll. Hist. Eng. (1621), 11. The wildness of war by reason of these perpetual conflicts with strangers had so let out the people of the land to unlawful riots and rapine that [etc.].

713 1646.  P. Bulkeley, Gospel Covt., I. 131. God being good, he will let out himself unto his people.

714 1659.  Boyle, Motives Love God, 35. The letting out our love to mutable Objects doth but inlarge our hearts and make them … capable of being wounded in more places.

715 1809.  Syd. Smith, Wks. (1867), I. 173. A timid and absurd apprehension … of letting out the minds of youth upon difficult and important subjects.

716   e.  To spread out. Also Naut. (see quot. 1867).

717 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 12. Lede þe boot into þe hey see, and late out your nettis to takyng of fishe.

718 1712.  W. Rogers, Voy., 104. We immediately let our Reefs out, chas’d and got ground of her apace.

719 1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., To let out, or shake out, a Reef, to increase the dimensions of a sail, by untying the points confining a reef in it.

720   f.  To lend (money) at interest (? obs.); to put out to hire; to distribute among several tenants or hirers.

721 1526.  Tindale, Matt. xxi. 33. There was a certayne housholder whych set a vyneyarde … and lett it out to husbandmen.

722 1550.  Crowley, Epigr., 1372. A manne that had landes … Surueyed the same, and lette it out deare.

723 1607.  Shaks., Timon, III. v. 107. They haue … let out Their Coine vpon large interest.

724 1671.  H. M., trans. Erasm. Colloq., 267. He … calls upon him that let out the Horses.

725 1690.  Child, Disc. Trade (ed. 4), 13. In Italy money will not yield above three per cent. to be let out upon real security.

726 1734.  J. Ward, Introd. Math., II. xii. (ed. 6), 254. What Principal or Sum of Money must be put (or Let) out to Raise a Stock of 385l. 13s. 71/2d.?

727 1795.  J. Sullivan, Hist. Maine, 168. The proprietors … letted out the lands for settlement.

728 1859.  Jephson, Brittany, v. 59. A girl who let out chairs for hire.

729 1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), IV. 508. The hireling who lets himself out for service.

730 1886.  J. R. Rees, Pleas. Bk.-Worm, i. 23. The easily accessible rooms … are let out as offices.

731   g.  To disclose, divulge; freq. with clause as obj.

732 1833.  Ht. Martineau, Brooke Farm, x. 114. That would be letting out my secret.

733 1857.  Reade, Course True Love, 60. That dear old man’s fault for letting out that he loves me still.

734 1880.  Mrs. Lynn Linton, Rebel of Family, iii. She might as well let the murder out!

735 1892.  Mrs. H. Ward, David Grieve, II. vii. You’ll be letting out my private affairs, and I can’t stand that.

736   h.  To strike out with (the fist, the heels, etc.). Chiefly absol. or intr. To strike or lash out. Hence, to give way to invective, use strong language.

737 1840.  H. Cockton, Val. Vox, xxxix. 330. A month after marriage she begins to let out in a style of which he cannot approve by any means.

738 1869.  H. J. Byron, Not such a fool as he looks, I. 8. Mur. What did he do? Mou. Well, he let out. Mur. What! his language? Mou. No, his left.

739 1882.  Daily Tel., 24 June, 2/8. At length Grace let out at Garrett, again driving him to the on amongst the spectators for 4.

740 1883.  C. J. Wills, Land Lion & Sun, 102. The horses … playfully biting and letting out at each other.

741   i.  To give (a horse) his head. Also absol., to ride with increased speed. colloq.

742 1885.  Howells, Silas Lapham (1891), I. 63. ‘I’m going to let her out, Pert,’ and he lifted and then dropped the reins lightly on the mare’s back.

743 1889.  ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Robbery under Arms, ix. Jim’s horse was far and away the fastest, and he let out to head the mare off from a creek.

744   j.  intr. Of a meeting: To end, break up. U.S.

745 1888.  E. Eggleston, Graysons, x. 114. He … would meet her at the door of the Mount Zion tent when meeting should ‘let out.’

746 1895.  San Francisco Weekly Exam., 19 Sept., 4/2. Q. When did the cooking class let out? A. About five minutes to 3.

747   k.  as sb. An entertainment on a large or lavish scale. Anglo-Irish.

748 1836.  F. Mahoney, Rel. Father Prout (1859), 70. As if resolving the mighty project of a ‘let out.’

749   35.  Let up.

750   a.  trans. † In OE., to put ashore (obs.); to rise (lit. and fig.).

751 11[?].  O. E. Chron., an. 1014 (Laud MS.). He com to Sandwic & let þær up þa ʓislas.

752 c. 1400.  Gamelyn, 311. Gamelyn ȝede to þe ȝate & lete it up wide.

753 1822–34.  Good’s Study Med. (ed. 4), II. 442. The system can only be let up or let down by slow degrees.

754   b.  intr. To cease, stop. To let up on: to cease to have to do with, talk of, interfere with, trouble, etc. U.S.

755 1882.  B. Harte, Flip, iv. I promised you I’d let up on him. Ibid. Don’t go back on your promise about lettin’ up on the tramps and being a little more high-toned.

756 1888.  J. Burroughs, in Century Mag., Aug., 611/1. This caused me to let up on the creature, when it lumbered away till it tumbled down a precipice.

757 1891.  C. Roberts, Adrift Amer., 45. When the storm let up.

758 1897.  Howells, Landl. Lion’s Head, 420. What do you suppose was the reason Jeff let up on the feller? Ibid., 452. What Jeff would natch’ly done would b’en to shake the life out of him; but he didn’t;… he let him go.

759   c.  as sb. Cessation, pause; release from strain or stress, relaxation. U.S.

760 1856.  Miss Warner, Hills of Shatemuc, xxiii. 245. ‘It is the habitual command over oneself that I value.’ ‘No let-up to it?’ said Rufus. ‘No.’

761 1833.  Anna Green, Hand & Ring, ii. Blows like that haven’t much let-up about them.

762 1884.  F. R. Stockton, in Century Mag., XXVIII. 588/2. Our little let-up on Wednesday afternoons … is like death.

763 1895.  Educat. Rev., Sept., 168. Fine arts and music as a let-up with any of the severer studies.

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