MISSIVE

letter, missive

(noun) a written message addressed to a person or organization; “mailed an indignant letter to the editor”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

missive (plural missives)

(formal) A written message; a letter, note or memo.

(in the plural, Scotland, legal) Letters sent between two parties in which one makes an offer and the other accepts it.

(obsolete) One who is sent; a messenger.

Adjective

missive (not comparable)

Specially sent; intended or prepared to be sent.

(obsolete) Serving as a missile; intended to be thrown.

Source: Wiktionary

Mis"sive, a. Etym: [See Missive, n.]

1. Specially sent; intended or prepared to be sent; as, a letter missive. Ayliffe.

2. Missile. "The missive weapons fly." Dryden. 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.

Mis"sive, n. Etym: [F. lettre missive. See Mission, n.]

1. That which is sent; a writing containing a message.

2. One who is sent; a messenger. [Obs.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition