letter missive

noun

, plural letters missive.

1. a letter from an official source expressing a command, permission, invitation, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of letter missive¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French lettre missive or Medieval Latin littera missīva; missive

Example Sentences

This is exactly what would happen now, if the letter missive should be lost on the road and the cong d'lire should come by itself.

From Project Gutenberg

But the terms of the letter missive were so vague that, though it bore the sign manual, Casaubon hesitated to act upon it.

From Project Gutenberg