epistolary, a.
(ɪˈpɪstələrɪ)
[ad. F. épistolaire, ad. L. epistolāris, f. epistola epistle.]
1. Of or pertaining to letters or letter-writing.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr. 1682 Dryden Relig. Laici Pref., The style of them [the verses] is, what it ought to be, epistolary. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 87 ¶2 The Rules of Epistolary Writing. 1730 Swift's Corr. Wks. 1841 II. 636, I seek no epistolary fame. 1780 Cowper Lett. 16 Mar., I saw the reason of your epistolary brevity. 1852 Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life III. xiii. 231 My excellent little maid..has every talent except the talent epistolary. |
b. absol.
| 1812 Examiner 30 Nov. 753/1 Your Royal Highness stands upon record for your love of the epistolary. |
2. Contained in letters; of the nature of letters; carried on by letters.
| 1706 H. Dodwell (title), An Epistolary Discourse, proving from the Scriptures..that the Soul is a Principle naturally Mortal. 1712 Addison Spect. No. 511 ¶1, I do intend to continue my epistolary correspondence with thee. a 1826 T. Jefferson in Sir J. Sinclair's Corr. (1831) II. 48, I recall..the days of our former intercourse, personal and epistolary. 1880 E. White Cert. Relig. 52 In the epistolary portions of the New Testament, written by the Apostles. |
3. Of or pertaining to an ‘epistle dedicatory’.
| 1681 T. Manningham Disc. 63 (T.) Scarce allowing the author one epistolary compliment. a 1764 Lloyd Poems, On Rhyme, Or with epistolary bow, Have prefac'd, as I scarce know how. |
4. Pertaining to ‘the epistle’ read in the Communion Service.
| 1722 Enq. Complutens. Ed. New Test. in Somers Tracts II. 490 The Church of England has..prescrib'd the publick Reading of it in one of her Epistolary Sections. |