D defs.my
Entry 3 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Epistle

/ĭp-ĭs'-əl/ · E·pis·tle · IPA /ɪˈpɪs(ə)l/
01 n. A writing directed or sent to a person or persons; a written communication; a letter; -- applied usually to formal, didactic, or elegant letters.
  1. 1.
    A writing directed or sent to a person or persons; a written communication; a letter; -- applied usually to formal, didactic, or elegant letters.
    “A madman's epistles are no gospels.” Shak.
  2. 2.
    One of the letters in the New Testament which were addressed to their Christian brethren by Apostles.(Eccl.)
    “One sees the pulpit on the epistle side.” — R. Browning.
Phrases & compounds
Epistle side — the right side of an altar or church to a person looking from the nave toward the chancel.
02 v. t. To write; to communicate in a letter or by writing.
  1. 1.
    To write; to communicate in a letter or by writing.[Obs.]