epistle means alternative letter-case form of epistle:; One of the books of the New Testament which was originally a letter issued by an apostle to an individual or a community.
epistle is pronounced /ɪˈpɪs.əl/.
Why “epistle” is a great word
A formal or literary composition in the form of a letter, especially one of the apostolic letters in the New Testament or a verse letter. From Middle English epistel, from Old English epistol, from Latin epistola ("letter, message"), from Ancient Greek ἐπῐστολή (epistolḗ, "letter, command"), from ἐπῐστέλλω (epistéllō, "to send a message"), from ἐπῐ- (epi-, "on") + στέλλω (stéllō, "to send, prepare"). Unlike "letter," a general and workaday term, or "missive," which suggests a formal dispatch, "epistle" carries the specific gravity of doctrine, art, and public address. It is the deliberate cadence of counsel from a distant apostle, the crafted intimacy of a poet’s verse sent across counties, and the solemn address of a bishop to his scattered flock—a voice not merely sent but dispatched, meant to land with the gravity of both message and monument.
Etymology
The noun is derived from Middle English epistel, epistole, pistel (“letter; literary work in letter form; written legend or story; spoken communication; (Christianity) one of the letters by an apostle in the New Testament; extract from such a letter read as part of the Mass”) [and other forms], and then partly: * from Old English epistol, epistola, pistol (“letter, epistle”), from Latin epistola (“letter, epistle; literary work in letter form”) (whence Late Latin epistola (“one of the letters by an apostle in the New Testament”)), from Ancient Greek ἐπῐστολή (epĭstolḗ, “letter; message”), from ἐπῐστέλλω (epĭstéllō, “to inform by, or to send, a letter or message”) (from ἐπῐ- (epĭ-, prefix meaning ‘on, upon’) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁epi (“at; near; on”)) + στ
noun
- Alternative letter-case form of epistle:; One of the books of the New Testament which was originally a letter issued by an apostle to an individual or a community.
- Alternative letter-case form of epistle:; An extract from a New Testament epistle (sense 1.1) or book other than a gospel which is read during a church service, chiefly the Eucharist.
- A literary composition in the form of a letter or series of letters, especially one in verse.“[Y]our Grace ſhal herein perceiue a nevv faſhion of diſcourſe, by Epistles; nevv to our language, uſual to others: and (as Noueltie is neuer vvithout ſome plea of vſe) more free, more familiar.”
- A letter, especially one which is formal or issued publicly.“After that John Frauncis [i.e., Giovanni Francesco Pico della Mirandola], the neuiew of Picꝰ [Picus], had (as it appeareth in the firſt epiſtle of Picus to him) begon a chaunge in his liuyng: […]”
- A letter, especially one which is formal or issued publicly.; Chiefly with a qualifying word, as in epistle dedicatory: a letter of dedication addressed to a patron or reader published as a preface to a literary work.“[I]n the Epiſtle Dedicatorie thereof to a great man of this land, whom he calls his verie right honourable good Lord, he recounteth his large bounties beſtowed upon him, and talkes of the ſecret favours which hee did him in his ſtudie or cloſet at court.”
- One of the books of the New Testament which was originally a letter issued by an apostle to an individual or a community.“The Evangiles and Acts, teach us vvhat to beleeve, but the Epiſtles of the Apoſtles vvhat to do.”
- An extract from a New Testament epistle (noun sense 3.1) or book other than a gospel which is read during a church service, chiefly the Eucharist.“The Collectes ended, the prieſt, or he that is appointed, ſhall reade the Epiſtle, in a place aſſigned for the purpoſe, ſaying. The Epiſtle of ſainct Paule written in the [blank] Chapiter of [blank] to the.”
verb
- To write (something) in, or in the form of, a letter.“His braynes, his time, all hys maintenance and exhibition upon it he hath conſumed, and never intermitted, till ſuch time as he beganne to epiſtle it againſt mee, ſince which I have kept him a work indifferently.”
- To write a letter to (someone).
- To write (something) as an introduction or preface to a literary work; also, to provide (a literary work) with an introduction or preface.“And though antient Tragedy uſe no Prologue, yet uſing ſometimes, in caſe of ſelf defence, or explanation, that vvhich Martial calls an Epiſtle; in behalf of this Tragedy coming forth after the antient manner, much different from vvhat among us paſſes for beſt, thus much before-hand may be Epiſtl'd; that Chorus is here introduc'd after the Greek manner, not antient only but modern, and ſtill in uſe”
- To write a letter.“Devinitie (the heaven of all artes) for a while drew his thoughts unto it; but ſhortly after the world, the fleſh, and the divell with-drewe him from that, and needes he would be of a more gentleman-like luſtie cut: whereupon hee fell to morrall epiſtling and poetrie.”
- To communicate with someone through a letter.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- epistolography 85% match — The art or practice of writing epistles. especially in the Byzantine era. vs epistle →
- bible 83% match — A comprehensive manual that describes something, or a publication with a loyal readership; a foundational text. vs epistle →
- encyclical 81% match — A papal letter, intended for general circulation in the Catholic Church. vs epistle →
- apologia 81% match — A written defense of a position or belief. vs epistle →
- evangely 81% match — The "good news" revealed by the Gospel; redemption. vs epistle →
- testament 81% match — A solemn, authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his or her will as to disposal of his or her inheritance (estate and effects) after his or her death, benefiting specified heir(s). vs epistle →
- gospel 81% match — The first section of the Christian New Testament scripture, comprising the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, concerned with the birth, ministry, passion, and resurrection of Jesus. vs epistle →
- pseudepigrapha 81% match — Writings falsely ascribed to famous persons (historical or mythical) to lend them greater legitimacy, typically composed many centuries after the ostensible author's death. vs epistle →