ppl. a. Having a good knowledge of letters; imbued with learning.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 7894 (Bodl. MS.). Prest weyl lettred ys to blame Þat letteþ nat … To pleye wyþ wymmen.
c. 1440. Alphabet of Tales, 217. A bisshop þat was a passyng sutell clerk, & a well-letterd.
1483. Caxton, Golden Leg., 427/1. The which … was … also in theologye wel letterd.
1597. Beard, Theatre God’s Judgem. (1612), 265. Quintius Valerius, a wise and well lettered man.
1858. Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt., lvi. I, 220. Happy and well-lettered peasantry.
1870. Disraeli, Lothair, xlii. 212. The Bishop … would not himself have made a bad cardinal, being polished and plausible, well-lettered, yet quite a man of the world.
