letter missive

American  

noun

letters missive plural

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

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Etymology

Origin of letter missive

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

Example Sentences

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

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4 "Carnegie Andrew" to "Casus Belli" by Various

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 The Development of Rates of Postage An Historical and Analytical Study by Smith, A. D.

The Parliament answered that "for a simple letter missive" it could not adjourn; it must have a letter patent; and it went on with the trial.

From A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 4 by Black, Robert