As the main meaning, we understand by letter that piece of written paper that a person or entity gives to another in order to communicate something. The word letter comes from the Latin "charta" which means paper, and this from the Greek "χάρτης" which refers to the papyrus sheet prepared to write on it. The dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy exposes the voice as "written paper, and ordinarily closed, that one person sends to another in order to communicate with her." Then it can be said that a letter is a means of communication written by an issuer who would be the sender, and then be sent to a receiver called the recipient.
A letter usually comes in an envelope so that the information contained in it cannot be seen by other types of people besides the sender or recipient; and the letter as such may contain certain information about the issuer as well as the sender, this may be contained in a heading, where it describes the name and address of the destination; followed by a greeting to start the speech; then the exhibition where a particular theme or subject is developed; the final greeting, where the issuer says goodbye and concludes the matter; and finally the signature of this is added. There are different types of letters such as: letters of thanks, letters of apology, letters of request, letters of invitation, letters of congratulations, letters of dismissal, letters of introduction, among others.
Throughout history, the modes of sending and the way of writing have changed significantly, because today to write and send a letter we can do it, thanks to technology, by means of a computer with access to the internet, specifically by email service; and practically the traditional letter has been replaced by this last technique or method.
Other possible meanings of the word letter are attributed to the cards that are used for certain games of chance; or on the other hand to the list of drinks and dishes with the option to choose that are served in a restaurant or food establishment.
