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.

  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.]

  I.  To leave; to allow to pass.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

  † 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.

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

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.

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

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

  † 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.].

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

  † b.  To bequeath. Obs.

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

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

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 alex^r.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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].

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

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.

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

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

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

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

  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.)

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

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

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

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

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.

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

1616.  W. Haughton, English-men for My Money, I. i.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1844.  L. Hunt, Blue-Stocking Revels, I. 50.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  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.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

  (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].

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

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

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

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

  (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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 23. Y^e kyng gave hym faire wordes, and let hym depart home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

  ¶ 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

  c.  with ellipsis of the infinitive.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1490.  Caxton, Eneydos, vi. 24. Y^e thynges that they desireden to late be knowen to theyr frendis.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

  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.

  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

  III.  To behave, appear, think.

  † 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.

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].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  † 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

  † b.  absol. To think. Obs.

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

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

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

  IV.  Phraseological combinations.

  * with adj. as complement.

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

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

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

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

  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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  c.  absol.

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

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

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.

  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.

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

[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.]

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

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

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

  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.)

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  ** with a verb in the infinitive.

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

  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  c.  absol.

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

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

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

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

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.’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

  d.  = let alone, 18 e. Chiefly Sc.

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

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.

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.

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

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

  21.  Let fall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

1594.  [see FALL v. 4].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

  f.  To shed (tears).

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

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

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

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

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

1667.  [see FALL v. 4].

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

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

  Let fly: see FLY v.¹ 10.

  22.  Let go.

  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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  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.

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.

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

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.

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

  f.  as sb. An act of letting go.

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

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.

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

  † 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).

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

  25.  Let slip. (See also SLIP v.)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

[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.]

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

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

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.

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

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

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

  *** With adverbs.

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

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

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

  † 27.  Let away. Obs.

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  29.  Let down.

  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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].

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

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.

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

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.’

  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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.’

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.

  h.  Of cows: To yield (milk). dial.

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

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

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

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.].

  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.

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

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.].

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

  31.  Let in.

  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

  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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

  32.  Let off.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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

  d.  To allow or cause to pass away.

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

  e.  To lease in portions.

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

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

  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).

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.

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

1888.  Mrs. G. Castle Smith (‘Brenda’), Shepherd’s Darling, xi. 177 (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!

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

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

  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

  34.  Let out.

  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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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].

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.’

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

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

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.].

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

  35.  Let up.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.’

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

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

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