Synonyms for epistle
- cannonball
- card
- communication
- dispatch
- invite
- kite
- line
- memo
- message
- missive
- note
- postcard
- scratch
- tab
- FYI
- billet doux
- get-well
- love letter
- poison pen
- thank-you
EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR EPISTLE
There is a reference to “pen and ink” in the 3d Epistle of John xiii.
As Catherine finished this epistle, she lifted her eyes and beheld Philip.
"Your brother means well," said Philip, when he had concluded the epistle.
When he had finished this epistle, Rigaud folded it and tossed it with a flourish at Clennam's feet.
I must beg your pardon for the epistle you sent me appearing in the Magazine.
I would not take my folio paper for this epistle, and now I repent it.
When Roland had finished reading this epistle he looked at Denasia.
Do you therefore, on the receipt of this epistle, come hither to me.
The inclosure was another sheet of note paper like the first epistle.
Captain Shad's epistle was more worldly but not more coherent.
WORD ORIGIN
Old English epistol, from Old French epistle, epistre (Modern French épitre), from Latin epistola "letter," from Greek epistole "message, letter, command, commission," whether verbal or in writing, from epistellein "send to," from epi "to" (see epi-) + stellein in its secondary sense of "to dispatch, send" from PIE *stel-yo-, suffixed form of root *stel- "to put, stand," with derivatives referring to a standing object or place (see stall (n.1)).
Also acquired in Old English directly from Latin as pistol. Specific sense of "letter from an apostle forming part of canonical scripture" is c.1200.