Meanings
comparative more letterly · superlative most letterly
- Befitting or characterised by letters (posted messages).
The context, it is worth noting, is a letterly one of postoffices, envelopes, and mailings.
2002, James G. Watson, William Faulkner: Self-Presentation and Performance, page 651 more example
At times Faulkner wrote himself into his fiction by the letter writers he created; and often enough he wrote himself out of it by the content and style of their miswritten letters. The juxtaposition of his literary and letterly writing is revealing of both canons.
2014, James G. Watson, William Faulkner, Letters & Fictions
comparative more letterly · superlative most letterly
- In a manner befitting or denoting letters; to the letter; precisely.
Christian Scientists, all over the world, who are letterly fit and specially spiritually fitted for teachers, can teach annually three classes only. They shall teach from the Christian Science textbook.
1924, Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 (Authorized Edition): - Page 316
Origin
- Middle Englishletterly
- Englishletterly
From Middle English letterly, equivalent to letter + -ly.
More words from Middle English
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
letterly. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/letterly
“letterly.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/letterly. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “letterly,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/letterly.
Source: letterly on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.