dead letter Hear it!

dead letter definition

dead letter

  1. a law, practice, etc. no longer enforced or operative but not formally done away with
  2. a letter that cannot be delivered or returned, as because of incorrect address and lack of return address

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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