letter-writing
UK[ˈletə ˌraɪtɪŋ]US[ˈletər ˌraɪtɪŋ]
n
The activity or skill of writing letters to people.
n
The style or quality of someone's written letters.
Morpheme Breakdown
letter
writing
letter
written message
writing
act of composing
Etymology
The compound 'letter-writing' is a transparent combination of two native English elements, both of Germanic origin. 'Letter' derives from Latin 'littera', which entered Old English and broadened from meaning a single alphabetic character to denote an epistle. 'Writing' stems from the Old English verb 'wrītan', originally meaning to scratch or carve runes. The compound itself is a modern formation, logically combining the object ('letter') with the activity ('writing') to specify the distinct, often formal practice of composing correspondence. This process exemplifies how English readily creates precise compound nouns from its core vocabulary to describe specific cultural activities.
Analysis
Structure: letter (written message) + writing (act of composing)
letter: From Old English, via Latin 'littera' (letter of the alphabet, document). In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning a written or printed communication.
writing: From Old English 'wrītan' (to score, outline, write). In this compound, it functions as a gerund (verbal noun) meaning the act or process of inscribing characters.
Examples
In the age of email, the art of letter-writing is becoming less common.
Her clear and elegant letter-writing was admired by all her correspondents.
The course focuses on improving business letter-writing skills.