hand letter

¹

noun

1. a brass letter, mounted in a handle, for printing on the cover of a handbound book.

hand-letter

²

[ hand-let-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. to print by hand:

   She hand-lettered a “for sale” sign.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand letter¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Origin of hand letter²

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Beside the long-hand letter, there is also painted in the same color a smaller letter in print type.

From Project Gutenberg

He folded the left-hand letter, and put it beneath his left heel, and stood upon it so; and then opened the right-hand letter.

From Project Gutenberg

He folded the right-hand letter, and put it beneath his right heel; then folding his two arms, stood upon both the letters.

From Project Gutenberg

One might as well wear second-hand clothing as get a second-hand letter.

From Project Gutenberg

He would have to write to Helen, an easy, off-hand letter, to say that he had come to London for a day or so.

From Project Gutenberg