let

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   leave unchanged

   let it be

2. 2
   verb

   actively cause something to happen

   I let it be known that I was not interested

3. 3
   verb

   To allow to, not to prevent (+ infinitive, but usually without to).

   After he knocked for hours, I decided to let him come in.

4. 4
   verb

   To allow to be or do without interference; to not disturb or meddle with; to leave alone.

   Let me be!

5. 5
   verb

   To allow the release of (a fluid).

   The physicians let about a pint of his blood, but to no avail.

6. 6
   verb

   To allow possession of (a property etc.) in exchange for rent.

   I decided to let the farmhouse to a couple while I was working abroad.

7. 7
   verb

   To give, grant, or assign, as a work, privilege, or contract; often with out.

   to let the building of a bridge;  to let out the lathing and the plastering

8. 8
   verb

   Used to introduce a first or third person imperative verb construction.

   Let's put on a show!

Etymology

Derived from Middle English leten, læten, from Old English lǣtan (“to allow, let go, bequeath, leave, rent”), from Proto-West Germanic *lātan, from Proto-Germanic *lētaną (“to leave behind, allow”), from Proto-Indo-European *leh₁d- (“to be tired, leave”). Cognates Cognate with Scots lat, lete (“to let, leave”), Yola leth (“let”), North Frisian leet, let, lätje (“to let”), Bavarian låssn (“to let”), Dutch, Low German laten (“to let, leave”), German lassen, laßen (“to let, leave, allow”), Luxembourgish loossen (“to let, leave”), Yiddish לאָזן (lozn, “to let”), Danish lade (“to let, allow, leave”…