the strict legalistic or pedantic interpretation of the meaning of an agreement, document, etc; exact wording as distinct from actual intention (esp in the phrase the letter of the law)
Compare spirit1 (sense 10)
See full dictionary entry for letter
Examples of 'the letter' in a sentence
the letter
Take it from me, it's not the letter of someone who's splitting up with her lover.
Val McDermid DEAD BEAT (2002)
And the kettle was just boiling when I heard the loud clatter of the letter box.
Isabel Wolff RESCUING ROSE (2002)
Sameth put the letter down, careful not to break what was left of it.