epistle

epis·tle

noun \i-ˈpi-səl\

Definition of EPISTLE

1

capitalized a : one of the letters adopted as books of the New Testament b : a liturgical lection usually from one of the New Testament Epistles

2

a : letter; especially : a formal or elegant letter b : a composition in the form of a letter

— epis·tler \-ˈpi-sə-lər\ noun

Examples of EPISTLE

1. St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans.
2. He penned lengthy epistles to her.

Origin of EPISTLE

Middle English, letter, Epistle, from Anglo-French, from Latin epistula, epistola letter, from Greek epistolē message, letter, from epistellein to send to, from epi- + stellein to send

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to EPISTLE

Synonyms: dispatch, ¹letter, memo, memorandum, missive, note

Related Words: billet-doux, open letter; airmail, card, electronic mail, e-mail, junk mail, mail, postal card, postcard; communication, report; encyclical

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Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Rhymes with EPISTLE

abyssal, bull thistle, cruise missile, dickcissel, dismissal, globe thistle, musk thistle, star thistle, wolf whistle