missive

[ mis-iv ]

noun

1. a written message; letter.

adjective

1. sent or about to be sent, especially of a letter from an official source.

missive

/ ˈmɪsɪv /

noun

1. a formal or official letter
2. a formal word for letter

adjective

1. rare.
   sent or intended to be sent

Word History and Origins

Origin of missive¹

1400–50; late Middle English ( letter ) missive < Medieval Latin ( littera ) missīva sent (letter), equivalent to Latin miss ( us ) (past participle of mittere to send) + -īva, feminine of -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of missive¹

C15: from Medieval Latin missivus , from mittere to send

Example Sentences

Yet, less than a year after Rolling Stone published “The Sheik” in 1972, Babitz fired off a pointed missive to Didion, taking her to task for her refusal to acknowledge the ways in which sexism had impeded the artistic progress of women.

From Los Angeles Times

In an impassioned missive written to her husband as their marriage was collapsing, she talks of burning down their home and wishing that her plane would crash.

From Los Angeles Times

In a missive addressed to Payne, who died Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

Finch echoed that sentiment in Tuesday’s missive, admitting she had trapped herself “in the addiction of lies” that she said left friends, family and colleagues feeling traumatized and betrayed.

From Los Angeles Times

DDG said in his Thursday missive that he and Bailey will co-parent as they focus on their “individual journeys.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• memo
• memorandum