Missive

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Missive \Mis"sive\, n. [F. lettre missive. See {Mission}, n.]
     1. That which is sent; a writing containing a message.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. One who is sent; a messenger. [Obs.] --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Missive \Mis"sive\, a. [See {Missive}, n.]
     1. Specially sent; intended or prepared to be sent; as, a
        letter missive. --Ayliffe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Missile. "The missive weapons fly." --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Letters missive}, letters conveying the permission, comand,
        or advice of a superior authority, as a sovereign. They
        are addressed and sent to some certain person or persons,
        and are distinguished from letters patent, which are
        addressed to the public.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  missive
       n : a written message addressed to a person or organization;
           "mailed an indignant letter to the editor" [syn: {letter}]