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

A curious anecdote in our literary history has recently been disclosed of Henry V. To encourage the use of the vernacular tongue, this monarch, in a letter missive to one of the city companies, declared that “the English tongue hath in modern days begun to be honourably enlarged and adorned, and for the better understanding of the people the common idiom should be exercised in writing:” this was at once setting aside the Norman-French and the Latin for the daily business of civil life.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. von Stephan had realized that the ordinary form of the letter missive, although most suitable in many ways for many kinds of correspondence, was not always convenient.

From Project Gutenberg

A licence under the Great Seal to proceed to the election of a bishop, known as the cong� d’eslire, together with a letter missive containing the name of the king’s nominee, is thereupon sent to the dean and chapter, who are bound under the penalties of Praemunire to proceed within twelve days to the election of the person named in it.

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

The Dean and Chapter meet and ask the guidance of the Holy Ghost to enable them to choose, knowing all the while they have the 'Letter Missive' in their pockets.

From Project Gutenberg