The crossword solution for the term ACCORDING TO THE LETTER is 'LITERAL'. This means that something is being taken in its most basic sense, without any figurative or metaphorical interpretation. For example, if someone says 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse', they are not actually expecting to be served a horse for dinner, but rather expressing their extreme hunger in a figurative way. If something is said 'LITERALLY', it means that it should be taken at face value.