'Letters missive' definitions:

Definition of 'Letters missive'

From: 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]