1. The action of allowing the movement or passage of, giving loose or vent to; chiefly with adverbs, as down, in, off. Also letting blood, letting go.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., xli. Onely throu latting of myn eyen fall.
1482. Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 107. The lyftyngys vppe of the crosse and the lettyngys done ageyne.
1530. Palsgr., 239/1. Lettyng of blode, seignee.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., III. i. § 16. Man is formed with a mouth … for receiving and letting forth of air.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low C. Warres, 149. The letting in of the Waters, and other things … were hindred.
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., II. i. § 5. 38. Letting go.
1839. Bailey, Festus (1854), 219. The good we do is of His own good will,—The ill, of His own letting.
a. 1849. H. Coleridge, Ess. (1851), I. 97. Some wiseacres … would think it a woful letting-down.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., ix. She couldn’t wear one of your gowns, could she, by any letting down?
a. 1861. Clough, Mari Magno, 692. I … knew the letting-off of steam, and rose.
1861. Trench, Sev. Ch. Asia, 78. Such a letting go of first love.
1864. Mrs. Gatty, Parables fr. Nat., Ser. IV. 109. He thought his father’s argument a letting down of principle.
2. The action of allowing the use of (houses, lands, etc.) on payment of rent, etc.; leasing. Also with out.
1538. Lichfield Gild Ord. (E.E.T.S.), 8. All men which haue or hold ony tenement of the lettyng of the master and the wardens.
1656. H. Phillips, Purch. Patt. (1676), 1. The letting and taking of Leases.
1669. Woodhead, St. Teresa, II. xxii. 139. Not the Season for letting of houses.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., Wks. V. 252. Where the letting of their land was by rent [etc.].
1833. Ht. Martineau, Cinnamon & Pearls, ii. 20. The letting of the Pearl banks had been accomplished.
1883. Mrs. R. T. Ritchie, Bk. Sibyls, ii. 83. He … reorganized the letting out of the estate.
1885. Act 48 & 49 Vict., c. 77 § 7. If any land is comprised in a lease for … lives, or in a letting for a term of years.
1894. Times, 5 Feb., 4/3. The Irish grass lettings are making high prices.
