epistolary
UK /ɪˈpɪst(ə)ˌl(ə)ɹi/ · US /ɪˈpɪstəˌlɛɹi/ adjective, noun
Forms epistolaries
- adjective Of or relating to letters, or the writing of letters.
- adjective Carried on by written correspondence. “an epistolary relationship”
- adjective In the manner of written correspondence. “epistolary style”
- noun (Christianity) A Christian liturgical book containing set readings for church services from the New Testament Epistles.
Synonyms
Etymology
1627, from Latin epistolārius, from epistola (“letter”) (English epistle) + -ārius, from Ancient Greek ἐπιστολή (epistolḗ) from ἐπιστέλλω (epistéllō, “to send a message”) from ἐπί (epí, “upon”) + στέλλω (stéllō, “to prepare, send”). For the noun, compare Middle English pistelarie and Old English pistelari, both from Medieval Latin epistolārium, possibly via an unattested *epistelari, *epistolarie.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Pertaining to epistles or letters; suitable to letters and correspondence; as, an epistolary style.
- adjective Contained in letters; carried on by letters. "Epistolary correspondence." Addison.
Etymology [L. epistolaris, fr. epistola: cf. F. épistolaire.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “epistolary”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details