epistles

Noun

epistle (plural epistles)

1. 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.1608, Joseph Hall, “To the High and Mightie Prince, Henrie, Prince of Great Britaine, Sonne and Heyre Apparant to Our Soueraigne Lord, Iames, King of Great Brit. &c. All Glorie in Either World”, in...
2. (humorous, literary) 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. 1536 (date written), Thomas More, “The Life of John Picus Erle of Myrandula, […]. Chapter IIII.”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, […]...
   1. (historical, humorous, literary, specifically) 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.1596, Tho[mas] Nashe, “To the Most Orthodoxall and Reverent Corrector of Staring Haires, […], Don Richardo Barbarossa de Cæsario, […]”, in Haue with You to Saffron-Walden. Or, Gabriell Harveys Hunt...
3. 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.a. 1632 (date written), John Donne, “To Sr. G. M.”, in John Donne [the Younger], editor, Letters to Severall Persons of Honour: […], London: […] J. Fletcher for Richard Marriot, […], published 1651...
4. 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.1549 March 7, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, “The Supper of the Lorde, and the Holy Communion, Commonly Called the Masse”, in The Booke of the Common Prayer and Administration of the...

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