Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. A letter addressed to one person but published (as for example in a newspaper) for the public to read.
WordNet
n. a letter of protest; addressed to one person but intended for the general public
Wikipedia
An open letter is a letter that is intended to be read by a wide audience, or a letter intended for an individual, but that is nonetheless widely distributed intentionally.
Open letters usually take the form of a letter addressed to an individual but provided to the public through newspapers and other media, such as a letter to the editor or blog. Especially common are critical open letters addressed to political leaders.
Currently there are very few sites solely specialising in publishing open letters. However, there are community sites where visitors can publish their own letters and promote them to a wider audience. Sociological or historical research on open letters are also not found, although sociologists and historians have written open letters. Recently, a professor of anthropology at Vidyasagar University in India has written a comprehensive article on open letter.
Letters patent are another form of open letter in which a legal document is both mailed to a person by the government, and publicized so that all are made aware of it. Open letters can also be addressed directly to a group rather than any individual.
Open Letter is the third studio album R&B singer Case. It features the Tim & Bob produced " Missing You", which was his only number one hit to date. The album was certified gold by the RIAA. This is Case's last album on Def Jam Recordings.
"Open Letter (To a Landlord)" is the third single released by Living Colour. It is from their 1988 debut album Vivid. The song reached #82 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Open Letter is the third album by the English big band Loose Tubes, that was released on the EG label in 1988.
An open letter is a letter that is intended to be read by a wide audience.
Open Letter may also refer to:
- Open Letter (Loose Tubes album), 1988
- Open Letter (Case album)
- Open Letter (Ralph Towner album)
- "Open Letter" (Jay-Z song), 2013
Open Letter is an album by guitarist Ralph Towner recorded in 1991 and 1992 and released on the ECM label.
Usage examples of "open letter".
He held an open letter in his hand, which he looked at from time to time, and appeared to be wholly absorbed in his own thoughts.
When I entered the room where he was I found him with an open letter in his hand, which, before I could utter a word, he gave me, saying, 'By this letter thou wilt see, Cardenio, the disposition the Duke Ricardo has to serve thee.
When the Louisiana State Constitutional Convention was in session, I wrote an open letter to that body pleading for justice for the race.