MISSIVE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Missive

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/mˈɪsɪv/ Listen

noun

Missive n.

That which is sent; a writing containing a message.

One who is sent; a messenger. (Obs.)

adjective

Missive adj.

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

Missile. "The missive weapons fly."

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.

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Etymology of 'Missive'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Missive" Quotes from Famous Books

... along with them"—bore a missive signed by the principal members of the Church, commending them to favor, and conducted their mission with discretion and propriety; but as their instructions were not plenary, they soon returned, bearing a letter ...

— The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11 • Various

... issued a proclamation to the Lithuanians announcing that elections would be held, and asking them to make known their desires, which would be realized by the Warsaw government. One of the many curious documents of the Conference is an official missive signed by the General Secretary, M. Dutasta, and addressed to the first Polish delegate, exhorting him to induce his government to come to terms with the Lithuanian government, as behooves two neighboring states. Unluckily for the soundness of that ...

— The Inside Story Of The Peace Conference • Emile Joseph Dillon

... opened, and he takes what he likes. He might just as well be permitted to have letters containing money. Many a poor colonial who cannot write a letter, buys and despatches a newspaper to his friends at home, to let them know he is alive; and this is the careless and unfaithful way in which the missive is treated by those to whom its carriage is entrusted. I heard many complaints while in Victoria, of newspapers containing matter of interest never reaching their address; from which I infer that the same practice ...

— A Boy's Voyage Round the World • The Son of Samuel Smiles

... the hail To rattle on the ever barren boughs, And friendlier sound was heard. Beside his door Wayworn the messengers of Patrick stood, And showed the gifts, and held his missive forth. Then learned that lost one all the truth. That sage Confessed by miracles, that prophet vouched By warnings old, that seer by words of might Subduing all things to himself—that priest, None other was than the uncomplaining ...

— The Legends of Saint Patrick • Aubrey de Vere

... lock and key in his desk, tied together with green silk, ready to be returned when the absolute fact of that other marriage should have become a certainty. He half made up his mind to return the present missive unopened. He knew that good could not arise from a renewed correspondence. Nevertheless, he tore asunder the envelope, and the words which met ...

— The Struggles of Brown, Jones, and Robinson - By One of the Firm • Anthony Trollope

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