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epistle

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The definition of an epistle is an especially long and formal letter, or is a poem or other writing in letter form.

(noun)

A very long and formal letter is an example of an epistle.

See epistle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a letter, esp. a long, formal, instructive letter: now generally a facetious use
1. any of the letters in the New Testament
2. a selection, usually from these Epistles, read in various churches

Origin: ME epistel < OFr epistle (& OE epistol) < L epistola, epistula < Gr epistolē, a letter, message < epistellein, to send to < epi-, to + stellein, to send, summon: see stalk

See epistle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A letter, especially a formal one. See Synonyms at letter.
A literary composition in the form of a letter.
Epistle Bible
a. One of the letters included as a book in the New Testament.
b. An excerpt from one of these letters, read as part of a religious service.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English epistel

Origin: , from Old French epistle

Origin: , from Latin epistola

Origin: , from Greek epistolē

Origin: , from epistellein, to send a message to

Origin: : epi-, epi-

Origin: + stellein, to send; see stel- in Indo-European roots

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