let

let
\ \ [OE] English has two distinct verbs let, of diametrically opposite meaning, but they are probably ultimately related. The one meaning ‘allow’ goes back to a prehistoric Germanic *lǣt- (source also of German lassen and Dutch laten) which, like the related late, is connected with a range of words denoting ‘slowness’ or ‘weariness’. It therefore appears that the underlying etymological meaning of let is ‘let go of something because one is too tired to hold on to it’. By the time the verb reached Old English this had developed to ‘leave behind’ and ‘omit to do’, senses now defunct, as well as to ‘allow’.
\ \ A close relative of the base *lǣt- was *lat-, direct ancestor of English late. From this was formed the Germanic verb *latjan, which gave English its other verb let, meaning ‘prevent’, now largely obsolete except as a noun, in the phrase without let or hindrance or as a tennis term.
\ \ Cf.⇒ LATE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Let — Let, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Let} ({Letted} (l[e^]t t[e^]d), [Obs].); p. pr. & vb. n. {Letting}.] [OE. leten, l[ae]ten (past tense lat, let, p. p. laten, leten, lete), AS. l[=ae]tan (past tense l[=e]t, p. p. l[=ae]ten); akin to OFries. l[=e]ta, OS.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Let — Let, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Let} ({Letted} (l[e^]t t[e^]d), [Obs].); p. pr. & vb. n. {Letting}.] [OE. leten, l[ae]ten (past tense lat, let, p. p. laten, leten, lete), AS. l[=ae]tan (past tense l[=e]t, p. p. l[=ae]ten); akin to OFries. l[=e]ta, OS.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • let — Ⅰ. let [1] ► VERB (letting; past and past part. let) 1) not prevent or forbid; allow. 2) used in the imperative to express an intention, proposal, or instruction: let s have a drink. 3) used to express an assumption upon which a theory or… …   English terms dictionary

  • let — let1 [let] vt. let, letting [ME leten < OE lætan, to leave behind, akin to Ger lassen < IE * lēd < base * lēi , to neglect, leave behind > LATE, L letum, death] 1. to leave; forsake; abandon: now only in phrases let alone or let be or …   English World dictionary

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  • let — vb let, let·ting vt 1: to offer or grant for rent, lease, or hire: lease may not be alienated, let, or encumbered corporeal things may be let out 2: to assign esp. after bids were att …   Law dictionary

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