(let) v. let, let·ting v.t.
1. To allow; permit: He won't let her do it.
2. To allow to go, come, or pass: They would not let us on board.
3. To cause; make: She disliked him and let him know it.
4. To cause to escape or be released: to let blood.
5. To grant the temporary possession or occupancy of, as a room or house, for rent or other compensation: often with out.
6. To assign, as a contract, for performance.
7. As an auxiliary verb, let is used to express command or suggestion: Let him come.
—v.t.
8. To be rented or leased.
—to let alone (or be) To refrain from disturbing, bothering, or tampering with. See note under LEAVE.
—to let down
1. To allow to descend; lower.
2. To relax; reduce effort or concentration.
3. Colloq. To disappoint.
—to let fly To hurl, as a missile.
—to let loose
1. To free; liberate.
2. Colloq. To act unrestrainedly.
—to let off
1. To discharge or reduce, as pressure.
2. Colloq. To excuse from an engagement, duty, or penalty; dismiss.
—to let on Colloq.
1. To pretend.
2. To reveal; allow to be known.
—to let out
1. To release; allow to go, escape, etc.
2. To reveal; divulge.
3. To make larger by releasing a part previously fastened: to let out a seam.
4. Colloq. To dismiss or be dismissed, as a school.
—to let up To slacken; abate.
—to let up on Colloq. To reduce or cease applying pressure or harsh measures to.
—to let well enough alone To refrain from tampering with what is regarded as unfavorable to change or already satisfactory. [OE lætan]

(let) noun
1. Anything that obstructs or hinders; an obstacle; impediment: usually in the phrase “without let or hindrance.”
2. In tennis, rackets, fives, ping–pong, etc., a served ball which touches the net in passing over.
—v.t. Archaic let or let·ted, let·ting To hinder or impede; obstruct. [OE lettan, lit., make late]

1. Small; little: kinglet.
2. A band or small article for: bracelet. [<OF -let, -lette <-el (<L -ellus) + -et, dim. suffixes]