missive

American  

[mis-iv] / ˈmɪs ɪv /

noun

1. a written message; letter.

---

adjective

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

missive British  

/ ˈmɪsɪv /

noun

1. a formal or official letter

2. a formal word for letter

---

adjective

1. rare sent or intended to be sent

Etymology

Origin of missive

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

Example Sentences

Mr. Allport, a historian at Syracuse University, found this lovely missive in the digital archive of RAF Bomber Command, one of the many archives he has culled to put this book together.

From The Wall Street Journal

A certain fateful missive brought Holbein to Thomas More, one of Henry VIII’s most trusted advisers.

From The Wall Street Journal

For nearly 14 years, I’ve returned to this contemplative missive through every bump in the occupational road or moment of professional strife.

From Salon

This, we learn, is the man who sent that pocketed missive of the prologue; how it made its way to Kornyev is a miracle at which Mr. Loznitsa leaves us to marvel.

From The Wall Street Journal

ClearView Energy Partners opened a missive to clients this weekend with an ominous warning: This time could be different.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• memo
• memorandum