Adjacent Words

Missive definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

MIS'SIVE, a. Such as is sent; as a letter missive.
1. Thrown or sent, or such as may be sent; as a missive weapon.
MIS'SIVE, n. A letter sent, or messenger.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a written message addressed to a person or organization; "mailed an indignant letter to the editor" [syn: letter, missive]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle French lettre missive, literally, letter intended to be sent Date: 1501 a written communication ; letter

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 joc. a letter, esp. a long and serious one. 2 an official letter. Phrases and idioms: letter (or letters) missive a letter from a sovereign to a dean and chapter nominating a person to be elected bishop. Etymology: ME f. med.L missivus f. L (as MISSION)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Missive Mis"sive, a. [See Missive, n.] 1. Specially sent; intended or prepared to be sent; as, a letter missive. --Ayliffe. 2. Missile. ``The missive weapons fly.'' --Dryden. Letters missive, letters conveying the permission, comand, or advice of a superior authority, as a sovereign. They are addressed and sent to some certain person or persons, and are distinguished from letters patent, which are addressed to the public.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Missive Mis"sive, n. [F. lettre missive. See Mission, n.] 1. That which is sent; a writing containing a message. 2. One who is sent; a messenger. [Obs.] --Shak.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(missives) A missive is a letter or other message that someone sends. (HUMOROUS or LITERARY) ...the customary missive from your dear mother. = epistle N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. a. 1. To be sent, fit for sending, expedited. 2. Missile to be thrown. II. n. Letter, message, communication.